Basics of Biostatistics A Manual for Medical Practitioners

Biostatistics is the branch of statistics that deals with data relating to living organisms.

This manual is a comprehensive guide to biostatistics for medical students. Beginning with an overview of bioethics in clinical research, an introduction to statistics, and discussion on research methodology, the following sections cover different statistical tests, data interpretation, probability, and other statistical concepts such as demographics and life tables.

The final section explains report writing and applying for research grants and a chapter on ?measurement and error analysis? focuses on research papers and clinical trials.

Key Points

• Comprehensive guide to biostatistics for medical students
• Covers research methodology, statistical tests, data interpretation, probability and more
• Includes other statistical concepts such as demographics and life tables
• Explains report writing and grant application in depth

Zero Point: Approach Road to Learning

Section 1: Bioethics, Evidence-based Medicine

• Bioethics in Clinical Research
• Evidence-based Medicine and Levels of Evidence
• Introduction to Statistics

Section 2: Research Methodology and ‘Back to School’

• Research Methodology
• Inside Research Methodology: The Nuts and Bolts
• Back to School

Section 3: Describing the Data

• Frequency Distribution
• Measures of Central Tendency
• Measures of Dispersion (or Variation)
• Skewness, Moments and Kurtosis

Section 4: Probability, Probability Distribution and Sampling

• Theory of Probability
• Theoretical Discrete Probability Distributions
• Theoretical Continuous Probability Distributions
• Sampling Theory

Section 5: Correlation, Regression, Partial and Multiple Correlation and Regression, Theory of Attributes

• Correlation
• Regression Analysis
• Partial and Multiple Correlation and Regression
• Theory of Attributes

Section 6: Statistical Testing

• Hypothesis Testing
• Tests of Significance (Z and Student’s ‘T’-Test)
• F -Test and Analysis of Variance and Covariance
• C hi-square Test
• Non-Parametric Tests
• Which Statistical Test to Use?
• Special Considerations about Inferential Issues in Biostatistics
• Measurement and Error Analysis

Section 7: Other Statistical Concepts Frequently Used in Research

• Vital (Demographic) Statistics and Life Tables
• Time Series Analysis

Section 8: Statistical Concepts for Medical Administration

• Index Numbers
• Decision Theory

Section 9: Report Writing and Applying for Grants

• Research Report Writing: How to do?
• Applying for Grants

Appendix

Jatinder Bali MBBS MS CDM PGDHHM STT
Hindu Rao Hospital and North Delhi Municipal Corporation (NDMC) Medical College, New Delhi, India