75213 - Medical Statistics

Learning outcomes

The main objective of this course is to provide basic knowledge on the following items:

-descriptive statistics

-elements of probability

-rates and methods of standardization

-computation of basic statistics using Excel

Course contents

-Introduction to descriptive statistics. Types of data. Qualitative and quantitative variables. Discrete and continuous variables. Data presentation: frequency tables (frequency counts, relative frequencies) and graphical representations (e.g. pie charts, bar charts, histograms, scatter plot, time series, cartograms)

-Measures of central tendency (mean, median, mode and percentiles). Measures of variability (range, interquartile range, deviation, variance, standard deviation, variation coefficient). Skewness and kurtosis.

-Contingency Tables. Joint frequencies and joint relative frequencies. Conditional and marginal distributions. Relationships between two variables. Chi-squared statistics. Tschuprow’s T.

-Introduction to probability. Remarks on the concepts of probability. Definition of simple events and sample space. Operations on events (Venn diagrams). Axioms of probability (Kolmogorov). Rules of the probability (additive, multiplicative). Conditional probability. Bayes’ theorem.

-Rates and Standardization

Readings/Bibliography

M. Pagano, K. Gauvreau. Biostatistica. Idelson-Gnocchi, Napoli, 2003.

Teaching methods

Lectures

Classroom exercises

Computer exercises (using Excel)

Assessment methods

Written examination: 3-4 exercises to be solved using Excel and 3-4 exercises using the scientific calculator.

The exam is located in the computer room.

Teaching tools

Computer lab

Teaching materials

Office hours

See the website of Stefania Curti