KC6030 - Medical Statistics

You will learn through a series of interactive lectures and seminars which include classroom discussions and video presentations. Seminar classes will be scheduled every week to allow exploration of practical application and guidance on data analysis. Lectures allow students to witness the development of the relevant statistical aspects behind the statistical approaches to these problems and understand how to apply the techniques and interpret the results through many examples.

Formative feedback is available weekly in the classes as you get to grips with new techniques and solve problems. In addition, we operate an open door policy where you can meet with your module tutor to seek further advice or help if required. Your ability to identify and evaluate the important factors associated with designing a clinical trial is assessed in a take away assignment whereas your ability to select and apply appropriate methods of analysis to various types of clinical data and critically review aspects of the methodology of clinical trials is tested in a formal exam at the end of the module.

General feedback on assessments will be given in class and individual feedback will be written on scripts. An opportunity to discuss work further will be available on an individual basis when work is returned and also through the open door policy.

Direct contact with the teaching team during the teaching sessions will include participation in both general class discussions as well as one to one discussions during the seminars. This gives you a chance to get immediate feedback pertinent to your particular needs in this session. Further feedback and discussion with the teaching team area also available at any time through our open door policy. In addition, all teaching materials, reading lists and supplementary material (such as interesting articles and videos) are available through the e-learning portal.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Identify and evaluate the important factors associated with designing a clinical trial.

Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
2. Select and apply appropriate methods of analysis to clinical data.

Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
3. Critically review aspects of the methodology of clinical trials.

SUMMATIVE

• Coursework (30%) – 1
• Examination (70%) – 1, 2, 3

FORMATIVE
Formative assessment will be available on a weekly basis in the classroom sessions through normal lecturer-student interactions, allowing them to extend, consolidate and evaluate their knowledge.

Formative feedback will be provided on student work and errors in understanding will be addressed reactively using individual discussion. Solutions for seminars will be provided after the students have attempted the questions, allowing students to receive feedback on the correctness of their solutions and to seek help if matters are still not clear.

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‘Medical Statistics’ is the application of appropriate statistical methods to medical scenarios. Medical Statistics produces many different types of data and it is vital that the correct statistical technique is used when drawing conclusions from studies. This module will allow you to learn about a range of appropriate statistical techniques and you will be introduced to the design and analysis of clinical trials.

You will learn through a series of interactive lectures and seminars which include classroom discussions and video presentations. Formative feedback is available weekly in the classes as you get to grips with new techniques and solve problems. In addition, we operate an open door policy where you can meet with your module tutor to seek further advice or help if required. Assessment is through a mid-semester assignment and an end-of-semester exam.

Throughout the module, you will engage with the medical literature and learn how to appreciate good design of clinical trials and learn to extract useful information from medical data.