Basics of Biostatistics

Biostatistics is the application of statistical reasoning to the life sciences, and it is the key to unlocking the data gathered by researchers and the evidence presented in the scientific literature. Biostatistics is an essential skill for every public health researcher because it provides a set of precise methods for extracting meaningful conclusions from data. Those who complete the course will be able to read and respond to the scientific literature, including the Methods and Results sections, in public health, medicine, biological science, and related fields

• Describe the differences between descriptive and inferential statistics.
• Identify different types of data (nominal, ordinal, continuous [ratio and interval]) to determine an appropriate type of statistical test on the basis of the sample distribution, data type, and study design.
• Describe strengths and limitations of different types of measures of central tendency (mean,  median, and mode) and data spread (standard deviation, standard error of the mean, range, and inter-quartile range).
• Describe the concepts of normal distribution and the associated parameters that describe the distribution.
• Describe hypothesis testing, and state the meaning of and distinguish between p-values and confidence intervals.
• Interpret statistical significance for results from commonly used statistical tests.
• Describe the similarities and differences between statistical tests, and state how to apply them appropriately.
• Identify the use of survival analysis and different ways to perform and report it.