PUN105-Health Statistics

Objectives

This assessment addresses Unit Learning Outcomes 1, 2 & 3:

1.Discriminate the most appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics to use in a given health context, 

2.Analyse health data using statistical software and interrogate the test assumptions, and

3.Interpret and communicate the results of computer-generated statistical analyses.

Overview of task

Your task is to write the statistical methods and results sections of a hypothetical manuscript that focuses on bone mineral density in a sample of individuals who participated in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The SPSS data set you are required to analyse and the specific questions you need to answer area available on the Assessment 2 page of Blackboard. Please note this is an individual assignment and that you must be logged into Blackboard under your username to access the assessment tasks and data set which have been assigned to you. The data coding manual for the data set is provided at the end of this document.

You will be graded on both your analysis and interpretation, so you should avoid simple yes/no answers to the questions. Rather, explain how you reached your answer citing any relevant results. Only statistical methods taught in this unit should be used in the assessment. Your grade will be negatively affected if alternate statistical methods are used. All questions can be answered using the methods taught.

The report structure

Your report should contain two sections; statistical methods and results. You are permitted to use subheadings within the results section. You are not required to research the background to the data, or the relevance of the results to the field. You are also not required to reference the data or statistical methods used.

The articles available on QUT Readings under the heading “Papers for Orientation Week exercise” provide examples of how statistical methods and results are reported in manuscripts. It is recommended you review some of these articles so you are familiar with options for how to present your results. 

Your report should be written in clear English, using sentences and proper grammar. The report can contain tables and graphs, however directly copying SPSS output or tables is not permitted. Only the graphs from SPSS can be included. Self-generated tables containing relevant information are 2 acceptable but copy-paste tables from SPSS are not appropriate. Remember that your task is to interpret the results which means the reader should not need to see all the details of the output you obtained. Also remember to include both descriptive and inferential statistics.

The reader should be able to understand the analysis you conducted and the assumptions you considered from reading the statistical methods section. The report must not include analytical plans, and appendices will not be considered when grading reports.