Learning objectives
The course aims to enable the student to know and to understand the essential elements of the epidemiology and of statistics useful for nursing research, also in order to achieve the ability to use the knowledge and understanding gained in planning a search for the preparation of the thesis and thereafter conducting a professional activity based on "Evidence-based nursing".
Learning Outcomes
The student at the end of the course, will have to demonstrate knowledge and understanding about:
- basic concepts of epidemiology
- basic principles of medical statistics
The student also, applying the knowledge and understanding acquired, must be capable of set up the necessary steps of preparation of his/her thesis.
Prerequisites
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Course unit content
The lessons deal with elements of epidemiology and statistics useful for the planning of scientific research also using the model of the thesis as an example of the thesis research.
Full programme
Population and sample
Introduction: medical statistics and related disciplines. Logic and statistical planning. Overview of combinatorial analysis: permutations, arrangements, combinations. Applications. Overview of probability calculations: simple and compound probability, Bayes theorem.
Odds. Odds ratios. Likelihood ratios. applications.
Probability distributions : binomial distribution, Poisson distribution, normal and standard normal distribution. Tables and their use.
Elements of descriptive statistics
Summarising data. Units of measure. Measurements of position, order and variation. Indices of central tendency, mean median, mode.
Indices of variability, variance, standard deviation, CV. Percentiles and their use.
Elements of statistical inference (hypothesis testing)
General principles of statistical inference. Sampling distribution. Hypothesis and hypothesis testing. Type 1 and type 2 error. Power of a test and operating curve.
Parametric test : Student t-test, ANOVA with 1 and 2 classification criteria.
Non-parametric test: Wilcoxon test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Friedman test, median test, Chi-square test, Fisher exact test.
Overview of linear regression and correlation.
Power of the study and choice of the statistical test
Introduction to Epidemiology
Bibliography
lecture notes
M.M Triola, M.F. Triola : Fondamenti di Statistica, Ed. Pearson
C. Signorelli «Elementi di metodologia epidemiologica» Ed. Soc.Editrice Universo
E. Bottarelli «Quaderno di epidemiologia veterinaria» http://www.quadernodiepidemiologia.it/epi/HomePage.html
Teaching methods
Lectures with the use of audio-visual aids and classroom discussion
Assessment methods and criteria
The assessment of the achievement of the objectives of the course consists of a written examination followed by an oral examination. Through questions about the contents of the course will be determined whether the student has achieved the goal of knowledge and understanding of the content. Through questions regarding the planning of the thesis will be determined whether the student has achieved the aim of applying the acquired knowledge
Other information
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2030 agenda goals for sustainable development
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