Basic Statistics and Epidemiology: A Practical Guide

Description

Basic Statistics and Epidemiology is a straightforward primer in basic statistics that emphasizes its practical use in epidemiology and public health, providing an understanding of essential topics such as study design, data analysis and statistical methods used in the execution of medical research. Assuming no prior knowledge, the clarity of the text and care of presentation ensure those new to, or challenged by, these topics are given a thorough introduction without being overwhelmed by unnecessary detail. An understanding and appreciation of statistics is central to ensuring that professional practice is based on the best available evidence, in order to treat and help most appropriately the wider community. By reading this book, students, researchers, doctors, nurses and health managers will have the knowledge necessary to understand and apply the tools of statistics and epidemiology to their own practice. Cover Half Title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Preface Acknowledgements 1 What are statistics? 2 Populations and samples 3 Random sampling 4 Presenting data 5 Frequencies, percentages, proportions and rates 6 Types of data 7 Mean, median and mode 8 Centiles 9 Standard deviation 10 Standard error 11 Normal distribution 12 Confidence intervals 13 Probability 14 Hypothesis tests and P­values 15 The t­tests 16 Data checking 17 Parametric and non­parametric tests 18 Correlation and linear regression 19 Analysis of variance and some other types of regression 20 Chi­squared test 21 Statistical power and sample size 22 Effect size 23 What is epidemiology? 24 Bias and confounding 25 Measuring disease frequency 26 Measuring association in epidemiology 27 Cross­sectional studies 28 Questionnaires 29 Cohort studies 30 Case­control studies 31 Randomised controlled trials 32 Screening 33 Evidence­based healthcare Glossary of terms Appendix 1 Statistical tables Appendix 2 Exercises Appendix 3 Answers to exercises References Further reading: a selection Index