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Measurement in Health & Disease - HEA00163M

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  • Department: Health Sciences
  • Credit value: 20 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2023-24
    • See module specification for other years: 2024-25

Module summary

Have you ever wondered how we arrive at health related measurements and apply them in research? In this module you will learn about the theory and application of methods assessing variation arising from health related measurements within and between individuals, interpret measurement statistics for different types of data and compare measurements from different sources. These concepts will be introduced through their use in published papers, and you will get the opportunity to discuss their interpretation in weekly tutorials.

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2023-24

Module aims

This online module will convey the statistical principles behind health related measurements and their application in scientific research, including the critical appraisal of relevant publications.

Module learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students will be able to:

  1. Articulate the theory and application of variation arising from health related measurements within and between individuals.

  2. Interpret measurement statistics for different types of data, agreement between measurements and prediction of health outcomes based on measurements.

  3. Understand and applythe construction and evaluation of composite measurement scales.

Module content

  1. Introduction & Measurement Error I
  2. Measurement Error II
  3. Observer Variation / Intraclass Correlation
  4. Agreement between Measurement Techniques
  5. Agreement using Cohen’s kappa
  6. Factor Analysis
  7. Using Routine Data
  8. Diagnostic Accuracy
  9. Validity of Measurement Instruments
  10. Revision

Indicative assessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Special assessment rules

None

Indicative reassessment

Task % of module mark
Online Exam -less than 24hrs (Centrally scheduled) 100

Module feedback

Written cohort feedback for the summative assessment is provided on the standard proforma, within the timescale specified in the programme handbook.

Indicative reading

Streiner, D.L. and Norman, G.R. (2015). Health measurement scales: a practical guide to their development and use. 5th edn. Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Bland, M. (2015). An Introduction to Medical Statistics. Oxford University Press.


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University constantly explores ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary. In some instances it may be appropriate for the University to notify and consult with affected students about module changes in accordance with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.