This course covered classical statistical inference. The application of statistical techniques and the interpretation of data were emphasized. Mathematical proofs and derivations of statistical theory were addressed conceptually, focusing primarily on understanding the assumptions and methodologies used. Focus was on the statistical techniques derived from the general linear model and on applying statistical procedures using SPSS and interpreting data.

The objectives of the course were to:
   1. Describe conceptually the theoretical basis and underlying assumptions for the statistical topics covered.
   2. Analyze data with SPSS statistical software and draw meaningful inferences from data.
   3. Recognize when and how to apply the diverse statistical methods discussed throughout the course in varying research  situations

BIOSTATISTICS, A Methodology for the Health Sciences, Belle, Fisher, Heagerty, Lumley, ISBN: 978-0-471-03185-7

Midterm Exam

The Biostatistics course provided me with working knowledge statistical techniques and hands-on experience using these techniques to analyze data and then draw meaningful inferences from those results.

The sample problems and solutions included as artifacts demonstrate the various statistical techniques covered within the course. Examples include the use of descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, t-tests, chi-squared tests and analysis of variance. They also show the type of inferences that can be drawn by applying these statistical tools.

I think the problems presented and the methods used to solve them represent a highly structured framework for performing analysis on a scenario.  These artifacts represent an additional example supporting my assertion that establishing a clear analysis framework makes it easier to both perform the critical thinking and communicate the information involved. In these two artifacts, I published the problems submitted for my mid-term and final exams because they represent a compilation with at least one example per topic covered in the course.

These artifacts show my ability to use SPSS (now called PASW) to perform statistical analysis on various types of data. The write-ups show recognition of the underlying assumptions to facilitate the use of these statistical tools and the application of appropriate statistical theory.

The materials posted show the basic methodology used in statistical reasoning. They show how to formulate the null and alternative hypotheses, how to model the sample data using SPSS and how to perform the appropriate statistical analysis on that data using the functions available in SPSS. Further, the samples show how to interpret results obtained from SPSS and demonstrate the type of inferences that can be drawn from the statistical result.

Taking Biostatistics rekindled my love for mathematics and pointed me in the direction of considering a research study for my capstone project. I’m predicting with a high level of certainty, the statistical software tools and the analytical framework provided with this course will serve me well in the future.