LESSON #1 (08/23/19)

BIOSTATISTICS

- statistical processes
- collection, organization, analysis and interpretation of biological data
- in the field of medical science

Descriptive Statistics

- summarized data
- easier to analyze/interpret
- tabulation, graphical presentation, computation of ave.

Inferential Statistics

- generalization or conclusions
- estimation of parameters
- hypothesis testing

WHY DO WE NEED IT?

- Lots of questions needed to be answered

- Strategies to answer these questions
- Info based decision-making
- Graphs are easy to understand than paragraph forms

RESEARCH

- Problem-solving activity using the scientific method of inquiry aimed at the discovery
and interpretation of new knowledge
- Systematic (organized, methods/collecting data are clearly defined)
- Objective (not biased/fake)
- Reproducible (can be used by other people)
- e.g. reading a topic related to your interest, collecting hospital admission data,
collecting answered survey forms from customers

Research Process

1. Problem identification
2. Formulating objectives
3. Review of related literature
4. Methodology
5. Data collection
6. Data processing & analysis
 7. Writing the report
8. Dissemination of findings
9. Utilization of result

VARIABLES

- Can change over time/can control or manipulate

- A characteristic/measurement whose value differs from one individual to another or
from one period to another in the same individual
- Depend on the study/research question
- Basis of their relevance to the study objectives

TYPES OF VARIABLES

Qualitative

- Categorical
- Labels to distinguish one group from another
- Numerical representation of categories are for labeling/coding not for comparison
(greater/less)
- e.g. sex, religion

Quantitative

- Indicate quantity/amount expressed numerically

- Values can be arranged according to magnitude
- e.g. age, weight, etc.
a. Discrete
 Number of children, number of beds (whole number)
b. Continuous
 Age, height, etc. (fraction/decimals)

LEVELS OF MEASUREMENT

1. Nominal (qualitative)
- set of mutually exclusive and exhaustive classes to which individual or objects may
be assigned
- e.g. sex, regions, race, blood groups, age groups
2. Ordinal (qualitative)
- Ordered/ranked
- e.g. psychological scales, educ. attainment (elem, hs, college)
3. Interval (quantitative)
- Infinite
- Have neither beginning nor ending
 - e.g. temperature measurement, calendar time
4. Ratio (quantitative)
- Meaningful zero exists (zero – no value, fixed)
- e.g. weight, blood pressure, height, doctor visits

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VARIABLES

Independent Variable

- contributes to the deviation of outcome

- variable under investigation
- determines the value of dependent variable
- “predictor/exposure”

Dependent Variable

- Response variable
- “outcome of interest”
- Value is affected by independent variable

HOW TO DEFINE VARIABLES?

Conceptually

- Definition (dictionary)

Operationally

- How you use the word in the study

DATA COLLECTION

- Survey
- Structured interview (yes/no)
- Semi-structured & unstructured interviews (opinions, essays)
- Prospective recording of events
- Review of records/retrospective review of records
- Focus group discussion
- Non-participant observation
- Participant observation
- Use of biophysiological measures (expensive)
SOURCES OF DATA

Primary

- Directly; firsthand; interview

Secondary

- Census, reports, logbooks/registries (already used by other people)

POPULATION CHARACTERISTICS

Population Composition

- Characteristics of a group of people in terms of factors: age, sex, race/ethnicity,

marital status

Describing the Population Composition

Age Composition

 Median – age
 Dependency ratio
y
0−14+ >65 population (dependents)
 e.g. 𝐴𝑔𝑒 𝐷𝑒𝑝𝑒𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜 = o
y x 100
15−64 population
o
Interpretation: In 1990, every 100 persons in the economically productive
age groups had to support 75 dependents.

Factors Related to Sex

 Genes, hormones, etc.

Sex Composition
male
 Sex ratio ( x 100 ), sex structure
female

Age and Sex Composition

Population Pyramid

 Graphical presentation of the age and sex composition of the

population
 Rapidly expanding, expanding, stationary, contracting