Unit information: Statistics for Epidemiology in 2019/20

Unit name	Statistics for Epidemiology
Unit code	BRMSM0032
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24)
Unit director	Dr. Jon Heron
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Introduction to Epidemiology and Statistics
Co-requisites	None
School/department	Bristol Medical School
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences

Description including Unit Aims

The aims of this unit are to:

- Use statistical software to manage and manipulate data - Conduct statistical analyses of epidemiological data, and interpret their results - Describe statistical methods commonly applied in epidemiology including linear, logistic, Poisson and Cox regression, their extensions to clustered data and random effects, and other methods for survival analysis - Use regression models to adjust for confounding, test for effect modification and model linear and nonlinear relationships - Construct, validate and interpret prediction models to address diagnostic and prognostic research questions - Understand the implications of clustered and missing data, and introduce methods to address these - Understand simulation as a method to aid design, analysis or interpretation of a study - Introduce applications of machine learning in epidemiology

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, students should be able to:

1. Use statistical software to manipulate, describe and analyse data
2. Conduct analyses using appropriate regression models, considering study design, type of outcome variable, and potential confounders
3. Interpret the results from regression models of epidemiological data, considering study design issues
4. Use regression models to adjust for confounding, test for effect modification and model linear and nonlinear relationships
5. Conduct statistical analyses for time-to-event outcomes
6. Construct, validate and interpret prediction models for diagnosis and prognosis
7. Describe and use methods for dealing with clustered and missing data
8. Simulate data to aid the design, analysis or interpretation of a study
9. Describe uses and applications of machine learning in epidemiology

Teaching Information

There will be 10 teaching weeks, plus reading week and revision week.

Face to face teaching for a total of 50 hours will include lectures and tutorials. Directed and self-directed learning (150 hours) will include activities such as reading, analysing and interpreting data, and preparation for assessment.

Assessment Information

There will be two formative assessments: the first will be a practical session on constructing and validating a risk prediction model (ILO 6). The second formative assessment will be a practical session on using simulation to inform the design of a future study (ILO 8).

Summative assessment will be in the form of a data analysis and interpretation exercise. Students will be given a data set and a set of analysis tasks to complete. They will also be asked to state the strengths and limitations of their analysis and discuss possible alternatives, with suitable justification (ILO 1-9).

A mark of 50% for the summative coursework assessment is required to pass the unit.

Reading and References

There is no compulsory unit text book.

Recommended reading:

1. Kirkwood BR, Sterne JAC. (2010) Essential Medical Statistics. Blackwell.
2. Sterne, JAC et al. (2009). Multiple imputation for missing data in epidemiological and clinical research: potential and pitfalls. BMJ 338:157-160.
3. Cleeves M, Gould W, Gutierrez R, Marchenko Y. An Introduction to Survival Analysis Using Stata, 3^rd edition. Stata Press 2010.