Data analysis is a central activity in applied epidemiology providing underlying evidence for public health policy formulation and action. Data may come from studies with survey, cohort or case control designs, or from health system surveillance or monitoring. The different types of data require different analytic methods appropriate to the form of the data and to the research question. This course aims to introduce students to some different types of quantitative public health data, with a focus on secondary dataset analysis, and to give students the opportunity for hands-on learning of epidemiological data analysis skills. The course is relevant to any student interested in a career in public health or health research, or to those wishing to extend their statistical skills to analysis of public health data.

  At the completion of this subject, students should have the skills and knowledge to:

1. Define questions of public health significance appropriate to secondary dataset analysis
2. Design an analysis plan
3. Perform a descriptive analysis
4. Identify and use appropriate statistical analytic approaches and methods
5. Identify limitations of data analyses
6. Communicate findings for public health action

Two assignments (30% and 40% each) and one in class exam (20%) plus participation in teaching and learning sessions (10%)

Attendance and participation at a four day intensive program (approx 32 hours) is required (28^th-31^st August 2012), plus participation in online teaching sessions over the semester and additional time spent on pre-reading, self-directed study and completing the assessment requirements as per a 6-unit course load.

Students enrolled in this course should have completed an undergraduate degree and Masters level courses on Epidemiology and/or Biostatistics from a recognised School of Public Health (either in Australia or internationally), or completion of Fundamentals of Epidemiology and Fundamentals of Biostatistics short courses held at the ANU, or equivalent experience. Students wishing to do this subject, but do not have these prerequisites should contact the convener.

Understanding of basic epidemiology and biostatistics.

POPH8100 Fundamentals of Epidemiology

POPH8101 Biostatistics in Population Health

POPH8317 Public Health Surveillance

POPH8316 Outbreak Investigation

POPH8315 Methods in Applied Epidemiological Research

Betty Kirkwood & Jonathon Stern. Essential Medical Statistics. 3^rd Edition. Blackwell Science, Oxford 2012. ISBN: 1405158964

Students will require access to a computer with a current version of STATA statistical analysis package on it (version 12 as at May 2012). Students can purchase a temporary STATA license for their use during this course from http://www.survey-design.com.au/overview.html. Students will need to bring a computer to class for data analysis exercises. Students can contact the Convener, as it may be possible to borrow a notebook computer for the duration of the course.