Introduction to Statistics and SPSS

Learning Outcomes

Subject Specific Intellectual and Research Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Choose between and apply different statistical techniques to analyse data.
• Apply the concept of a statistical hypothesis test and be able to interpret the related effect size, confidence interval and P value.
• Present quantitative research findings appropriately.

Transferable and Generic Skills

Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:

• Use the IBM SPSS software package to set up a database, enter data, create and manipulate variables, analyse data using the most appropriate tests and explain the results in the context of their relevance to public health, including description of relevant statistics and tabulation/graphical display of the data.

Knowledge and Understanding

Having successfully completed this module, you will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of:

• The differences between various statistical techniques, know when to apply them, justify the choice of technique and be able to summarise the results.
• The difference between the various types of data and how to report data summaries using the most appropriate approach.
• How to construct different data presentation and summary approaches.

• Types of quantitative data, descriptive statistics and graphical presentation
• Sampling from a population
• Hypothesis testing and confidence intervals
• Analysing continuous and categorical data
• Correlation
• Linear and logistic regression
• Sample size
• Standardisation (z-score)
• Data handling manipulation and statistical analysis in SPSS

Teaching and learning methods

A variety of methods are used including lectures, reference to online resources, interactive tools for learning and self-assessment, SPSS computer demonstrations and practical SPSS exercises using computers.

Resources & Reading list

Textbooks

Campbell MJ, Machin D, Walters SJ. (2007). Medical statistics: A textbook for the health sciences. Wiley-Blackwell.

Kirkwood BR, Sterne AC. (2003). Essential medical statistics. Wiley-Blackwell.

Bland M. (2015). An introduction to medical research. Oxford University Press.

Foster L, Diamond I, Jefferies J (2014). Beginning statistics: an introduction for social scientists. Sage Publishing.

Altman DG. (1990). Practical statistics for medical research. Chapman and Hall/CRC.

Petrie A, Sabin C. (2009). Medical statistics at a glance. Wiley-Blackwell.

Assessment strategy

The assessment includes both formative and summative elements. The formative assessments are SPSS exercises that are self-directed. There are two summative assessments: a data analysis report and an on-line multiple choice (MCQ) quiz.

The pass mark for the summative written data analysis report and the module is 50%. You must also pass the online MCQ quiz by achieving a mark of 90% or above. If you fail the MCQ quiz you are allowed to take it again until you pass within the specified time period. If you fail the module, you will have the opportunity to submit work at the next referral (re-sit) opportunity. On passing your referral, your final module mark will be capped at 50%.

Formative

This is how we’ll give you feedback as you are learning. It is not a formal test or exam.

Summative

This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.

Referral

This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.

Repeat Information

Repeat type: Internal & External