WELCOME RESEARCH I
(Introduction to Research)
RESEARCH I
- Research Methodology - 2 units
- 2 hours a week
- 1 semester
General Description
• The learner is introduced to research, its relevance, purpose and benefits in Medicine and Allied Health
• Research methodology is taught through the application of basic concepts and principles of Biostatistics and Epidemiology.
General Learning Objective
• To enable the students to acquire basic knowledge and develop attitudes and skills in the statistical and epidemiological analysis of health-related data and apply the principles of Biostatistics and Epidemiology in the care of the family and the community, as well as in the field of research.
FEU-NRMF VISION
• F idelity
• E xcellence
• U niversality
• N ationalistic
• R esponsible
• M orally upright
• F amily oriented
MISSION
• Excellence in medical and paramedical education
• Quality health care services
• Relevant research
Evaluation Method
• Exercises and Quizzes
• Preliminary and Final Examinations
• Research Proposal (Oral Presentation and Written Paper)
• Attendance and Class Participation
BIOSTATISTICS
• A term coined from two words: “Bio” and “Statistics”
• Bio – life
• Statistics – refers to the science dealing with the collection, organization, analysis and interpretation of numerical data
DEFINITIONS
• Biostatistics – refers to the application of statistical methods to the life sciences like biology, medicine and public health
• Public Health Statistics – quantitative data needed as basis for the planning, monitoring and evaluation of health services. Includes: vital and health statistics
DEFINITIONS
• Vital Statistics – refers to data on vital events (number of births, deaths and marriages)
• Health Statistics – cover a wide variety of numeric information including data on morbidity, hospital and clinic statistics, service statistics
Two Branches of Statistics
• 1. Descriptive statistics – refers to the different methods applied in order to summarize and present data in a form which will make them easier to analyze and interpret.
e.g. Tabulation, Graphical presentation, Computation of averages, measures
Two Branches of Biostatistics
• 2. Inferential Statistics – refers to methods involved in order to make generalizations and conclusions about a target population, based on results from a sample.
e.g. Estimation of parameters, Testing of hypothesis
Constant
vs.
Variation
CONSTANT
• A phenomenon whose value remains the same from person to person, from time to time, or from place to place
e.g. no. of minutes in an hour
VARIABLE
• A phenomenon whose values or categories cannot be predicted with certainty
e.g. age of gestation, weight
TYPES OF VARIABLES
1. Qualitative
- one whose categories are simply used as labels to distinguish one group from another
e.g. gender, place of residence
TYPES OF VARIABLES
2. Quantitative
- one whose categories can be measured and ordered according to quantity or amount or whose values can be expressed numerically.
e.g. population size, birth weight
QUANTITATIVE Variable
1. Discrete
- if it can assume only integral values or whole numbers
2. Continuous
- if it can attain any value including fractions or decimals
Why is Biostatistics needed as a science?
Phenomenon of Variation
SCALE of MEASUREMENT
1. Nominal – “label” or categories
e.g. Gender – male, female
2. Ordinal – “ranked” or “ordered”
e.g. Qualitative – mild, moderate, severe
Quantitative – 1st, 2nd, 3rd
SCALE of MEASUREMENT
3. Interval – the exact distance between two categories can be determined but the zero point is arbitrary.
e.g. temperature
4. Ratio – zero point is fixed
e.g. weight in kg. height in cm
APPLICATIONS of Biostatistics
• Information-based. Biostatistics is a tool in the decision-making process
• Conduct of clinical trial, surveys, etc – Application of statistical techniques in the design and evaluation of research projects
APPLICATIONS of Biostatistics
• Problem identification, needs assessment, allocation of limited resources and evaluation of programs – An integral part of the basic foundation upon which the expertise of health administrators, planners and public health practitioners in general, rests.