HS927-7-PS-CO:
Statistical Analysis

The details
2023/24
Health and Social Care (School of)
Colchester Campus
Spring & Summer
Postgraduate: Level 7
Current
Monday 22 April 2024
Friday 28 June 2024
15
26 September 2023

 

Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)

 

(none)

Key module for

(none)

Module description

The aim of this module is to introduce students who have no previous experience of quantitative methods to basic and intermediate statistical concepts and procedures. The emphasis is on practical applications, not mathematics although a small amount of elementary mathematics is inevitably required.


The module covers the following themes:



  • Principles of data analysis, description and inference, and preparation of data for statistical testing

  • Conducting uni- and bivariate analysis, tests of association and tests of difference, multivariate analysis and regression modelling

  • Interpreting statistical output


Module objectives:


By the end of the module you should be able to:



  • Understand the logic of statistical description and inference.

  • Know how to interpret basic statistics.

  • Conduct elementary and intermediate quantitative data analysis using a statistical software package.

Module aims

This module will equip students to understand, as well as develop their skills in carrying out a range of statistical tests.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module the student will have:



  1. Knowledge and understanding of the application of univariate and basic multivariate quantitative techniques.

  2. The ability to prepare data to formulate suitable statistical models for problems.

  3. The ability to analyse data via suitable statistical models and correctly interpret the results.

  4. The ability to report the interpretation using appropriate reporting conventions.

  5. The ability to assess the validity of suitable statistical models, and the associated limitations of using univariate and basic multivariate quantitative techniques.

Module information

Understanding statistical findings is key for anyone wishing to pursue an academic or Professional career. All health and social care policies and treatment recommendations should be based on evidence but in order to understand this evidence base you need to be able to understand the results of any given study and be able to ascertain whether the interpretations made on the basis of those results are appropriate. In addition, those wishing to carry out service evaluations and research within a practice based context will need to be able to demonstrate good statistical ability in addition to being able to use appropriate statistical software. The aim of this module is to help students develop practical skills in running and interpreting statistical analysis. Students will begin with basic univariate statistics which will serve as a refresher for those already a little familiar with statistics from undergraduate studies. Then they move on to bivariate and finally multivariate analyses. The basic statistics are analysed using Excel but the majority of the module uses SPSS for the purposes of data analysis. Please note that if insufficient numbers of students (i.e. <10) opt to take this module we may have to cancel it at short notice. If this is the case we will of course notify anyone who has applied to take this course in a particular term as soon as possible and offer an opportunity to discuss alternative options.

Learning and teaching methods

There are opportunities for both self-directed online learning and individual face to face tutorials with the module lead. For your study on this module you will be drawing on printed material, a variety of web resources including video clips, and software. You will also engage in online discussion with fellow students. A student copy of SPSS can be obtained from the Softward Hub and you will need access to SPSS and Excel throughout the module.

Bibliography

The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's reading list.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

Coursework / exam Description Deadline Coursework weighting
Written Exam  In class test 1 (20%)     
Written Exam  In-class test 2 (80%)     

Exam format definitions

  • Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
  • In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
  • In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary, for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.

Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.

Overall assessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%

Reassessment

Coursework Exam
100% 0%
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Prof Andrew Bateman, email: a.bateman@essex.ac.uk.
Andrew Bateman E: a.bateman@essex.ac.uk Student Programme Administrator: Ashwini Bharambe E: gph@essex.ac.uk

 

Availability
No
No
No

External examiner

Dr Elaine Lehane
University College Cork
Senior Lecturer
Resources
Available via Moodle
Of 16 hours, 12 (75%) hours available to students:
0 hours not recorded due to service coverage or fault;
4 hours not recorded due to opt-out by lecturer(s), module, or event type.

 

Further information

Disclaimer: The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its Module Directory is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to programmes, modules, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to modules may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery or assessment of modules and other services, to discontinue modules and other services and to merge or combine modules. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications and module directory.

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