Experimental Design, Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Sustainable Development Goals (SDG)

• 5. Gender equality

Objectives

Experimental design and statistics are essential tools in biomedical studies that allow the design of experiments, the identification of associations between variables and factors linked to human health and epidemiology and the interpretation of results. From this design, analysis and interpretation, patterns in the behavior of a disease and the influence of various factors on this disease can be deduced, among other things. The general objectives of this subject, therefore, are the following:

• Introduce the basic principles of experimental design and statistical methodology applied to scientific research.
• Know the descriptive statistical methods and the most used concept and methods of statistical inference.
• Know statistics as a tool for epidemiological analysis in both sexes.
• Know and use statistical applications in the field of biomedicine.
• Facilitate the understanding and critical evaluation of the results obtained in a statistical study.

Learning outcomes

• LO1. Analyze biomedical data using descriptive statistics techniques, inference and regression models.
• LO2. Interprets and communicates the results of statistical and bioinformatics analyzes rigorously.
• LO3. Knows and applies the fundamentals of experimental design and epidemiological studies.
• LO4. Analyzes biological sequences in studies of genetic epidemiology and gene expression analysis.
• LO5. Demonstrates skills for critical reflection in processes linked to the exercise of the profession.
• LO6. Apply procedures specific to scientific research in the development of training and professional activity.
• LO7. It designs interventions that meet the needs of the field in a multidisciplinary way.
• LO8. Moves with ease in virtual interaction contexts through the use of ICT.
• RA9. Shows sensitivity for an equitable and egalitarian professional practice from a gender perspective.
• LO10. Collects and interprets data and information on which to base their conclusions, which include reflections on social, scientific or ethical issues in the field of biomedicine.

Competencies

General skills

• Formulate hypotheses following the scientific method, with an ability to summarize and analyze information in a critical way in order to be able to solve problems.

Specific skills

• Analyze biomedical data and biological sequences through the use of statistics and computation.
• Be able to critically interpret the results and conclusions of scientific studies.
• Formulate hypotheses and design experiments in the field of biomedical research.

Basic skills

• Students can apply their knowledge to their work or vocation in a professional manner and have competencies typically demonstrated through drafting and defending arguments and solving problems in their field of study.
• Students have demonstrated knowledge and understanding in a field of study that builds on general secondary education with the support of advanced textbooks and knowledge of the latest advances in this field of study.
• Students have the ability to gather and interpret relevant data (usually within their field of study) in order to make judgments that include reflection on relevant social, scientific and ethical issues.

Core skills

• Develop strategies for promoting gender equality and equity for all.
• Interact in international contexts to transfer knowledge to current and emerging fields of professional development and research.
• Make use of professional skills in multidisciplinary, complex, networked environments, whether on-site or online.
• Reflect critically on knowledge of all kinds, with a commitment to professional rigor and quality.
• Take control of one's learning process with a view to personal and professional growth and an all-round education.

Content

The contents of this subject include knowledge in:

• Descriptive statistics
• Probability
• Random variables
• Statistical inference. Confidence intervals and hypothesis testing
• Experimental design
• Basic concepts of epidemiology

Evaluation

Continuous evaluation of the activities carried out by the student through:

• Evaluation of the topics: 50%
  • First part: 25% (recoverable)
    Important: To be able to average with the other exam, you must obtain a minimum grade of 4/10. If you obtain less than 4/10, you must retake this part.
  • Second part: 25% (recoverable)
    Important: To be able to average with the other exam, you must obtain a minimum grade of 4/10. If you obtain less than 4/10, you must retake this part.
• Active participation in classes, seminars (questions to other groups, peer assessment, attendance): 5% (non-recoverable)
• Online or in-person exercises and quizzes (individual): 25% (non-refundable)
• Group work: 20% (non-recoverable) (individual grade 7.5%, group grade 7.5%, follow-up tutorials group work 5%)

Important: To pass the subject, you must obtain a grade of 5/10 in the average of the two partials of the topic evaluation.

The final grade for the subject is the result of the weighting of the grades obtained in each of the parts.

Recovery period

• Students who do not pass some of the activities considered retakeable may retake them during this period, as long as the total number of parts of the subject not passed does not represent 50% of the final grade.

Important

Plagiarism or copying someone else's work is penalized in all universities and, according to the UVic-UCC coexistence rules, constitute serious or very serious faults. Therefore, during the course of this subject, plagiarism or the improper appropriation of texts or ideas from other people (see What is considered plagiarism?) and the improper or undeclared use of artificial intelligence in an activity automatically result in suspension or other disciplinary measures.

To cite texts and materials appropriately, you must consult the academic citation guidelines and guidelines available on the UVic Library website.

Methodology

• Presentation of theoretical content through regular classes and seminars
• Carrying out exercises based on the theoretical content presented in class (independent and individual work)
• Data analysis with R
• Exercise correction tutorials with the class group
• Carrying out group work with follow-up tutorials in the classroom

Bibliography

Key references

• Daniel, W.W., Cross, Ch.L. (2013). Biostatistics: Basic concepts and methodology for the heath sciences (10 ed.). Wiley.
• Henquin, R. (2013). Epidemiología y estadística para principiantes. Retrieved from https://elibro.net/ca/lc/bibliouvic/titulos/76940?fs_q=Epidemiologia__y__estad%C3%ADstica__&prev=fs
• Milton, S. (2007). Estadística para biología y ciencias de la salud. McGraw-Hill / Interamericana de España.
• Zaiats, V.; Calle, M.L. (2001). Probabilitat i estadística: Exercicis II. Edicions UAB.
• Zaiats, V.; Calle, M.L.; Presas, R. (2001). Probabilitat i estadística: Exercicis I (2 ed.). Edicions UAB.

Further reading

Teachers will provide complementary bibliography and compulsory reading throughout the course via the Virtual Campus.