Statistics for Health Economics - ECO00052M

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  • Department: Economics and Related Studies
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25

Module summary

To introduce you to the foundations of statistical methods for health economics.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Spring Term 2024-25

Module aims

To introduce you to the foundations of statistical methods for health economics.

Module learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the module you should be able to:

  • Explain the basic ideas underlying the theory of probability and classical statistical analysis, including random variables and their probability distributions, descriptive statistics, sampling and sampling error.
  • Explain the difference between association and causation and the role played by randomisation in identifying casual effects.
  • Take a practical problem and a sample of data, define the problem in a way that is amenable to statistical analysis and explain why the approach adopted is reasonable.
  • Perform the relevant computations for the statistical methods covered and be able to provide intuitive explanations of the methods and results, showing how the results are derived.
  • Use a software package such as Excel to carry out data management, descriptive statistics and inferential statistics through to multiple regression.

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Open Exam (2 days) 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Open Exam (2 days) 100

Module feedback

Feedback will be given in line with University guidelines

Indicative reading

  • Practical Statistics for Medical Research, D. Altman. Chapman and Hall (1991)
  • Natural Experiments in the Social Sciences. A Design-Based Approach. T. Dunning. Cambridge (2012).
  • Statistics without Tears: A Primer for Non-Mathematicians, D. Rowntree. Penguin Books (2003). St Ives.
  • Statistics with confidence, D.G. Altman, D. Machin, T.N. Bryant, M.J. Gardner (eds.) BMJ (2000). London. Second Edition.