HNE-37306 Applied Data Analysis (in Human Nutrition and Health Research)

Course

Credits 6.00

Language of instruction:

Dutch and/or English

Assumed knowledge on:

MAT-15303 + MAT-15403
MAT-24306 Advanced Statistics for Nutritionists
HNE-24806 Epidemiology and Public Health

Continuation courses:

HNE-30806 Analytical Epidemiology;
Thesis Epidemiology and Public Health, thesis Human Nutrition.

Contents:

Interpretation and analysis of results from nutritional research in humans requires understanding of the close interrelationship between the main study designs and methods of data analysis. Nutritional investigations include intervention trials and observational studies, with either continuous or dichotomous health outcomes.
During this course, the students will learn to analyse and interpret data from various types of trails and studies using statistics as their main tool. Aspects concerning data-handling and interpretation of effect measures and of statistical tests is an important part of this course.

Learning outcomes:

After participation the student is expected to:
- be able to recognize the main types of experimental and observational study design;
- be able to choose the appropriate method of data analysis, given the study design and type of variables;
- be able to prepare a protocol for data analysis;
- have obtained basic experience in data analysis and interpretation relevant to human intervention trials and observational studies;
- have obtained an attitude which allows him/her to quickly learn new data-analysis skills, which can be applied during thesis and research;
- understand the principles of calculation of sample size and study power and is able to conduct these calculations for basic study designs;
- understand how stratification and regression analysis can be used to adjust for confounding;
- understand the principles and procedures of energy-adjustment and is able to adjust for energy using different methods.

Activities:

To reach the objectives, the students will attend tutorials and conduct statistical analyses on the computer. Computer assisted education is part of this course.

Examination:

A written exam and an examination of the analytical skills using statistical tools.

Literature:

A course reader will be available at WUR Shop, Forum.
Book: Medical Statistics at a Glance. Petril A, Sabin C. Paperback. Blackwell Publishers. 3rd edition, ISBN 13: 978-1-4051-8051-1