Dentistry and Dental Prosthodontics

Probability distribution (binomial and normal) and their properties and biomedical applications. Sampling distributons of proportions and means and their properties. Logic of statistical inference and of the long run (frequentist). Confidence intervals for sampling estimates. Statistical hypothesis test theory. Normal and t tests for single, paired and independent tests. Nonparametric tests and when to use them. Testing hypotheses on linear regression coefficients. Foundations and interpretation of logistic regression. Learning outcomes: Prepare students to understand the logic of statistical inference and to use and interpret the main statistical tests used in biomedicine. In particular at the end of the course the student should: -be able to describe the probability distributions for binary (binomial) and continuous (normal) variables -understand the difference between parameters of the population and their sampling estimates and the properties of the latter -be able to apply one and two-sample parametric tests (z and t tests) of scientific hypotheses and interpret the results -be able to calculate and interpret confidence intervals of a sampling estimate -be able to assess when to use nonparametric tests of hypotheses and interpret them -appreciate the extension of theory of statistical tests to regression coefficients and be able to interpret such tests. -understand the extension of regression to binary outcome variables and be able to interpret the results of logistic regression

Prerequisites Basic Knowledge of maths (calculus, algebra, analytic geometry) Descriptive Statistics and Basic Probability

Lecture slides/materials will be available via e-learning. Further readings : Kirkwood and Sterne, Essential Medical Statistics, Blackwell 2003 (reference book) Huff, D. How to lie with statistics. Vickers, A. J. What is a p-value anyway?

Mandatory

Evaluation methods: The written examination is made up of 7 questions, of which6 MCQs and one open question on applying and interpreting a test of biomedical hypothesis (similar to the one carried out in the APP)