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PUH 5302, Applied Biostatistics 1
Course Learning Outcomes for Unit VIII
Upon completion of this unit, students should be able to:
3. Evaluate study designs and statistical tests for public health research and analysis. 3.1 Compare and contrast various types of tests used in nonparametric methods. 3.2 Analyze the use of data visualization methods in public health.
Course/Unit Learning Outcomes
Learning Activity
3.1 Unit Lesson Chapter 10 Unit VIII Assessment
3.2 Unit Lesson Chapter 12 Unit VIII Assessment
Reading Assignment
Chapter 10: Nonparametric Tests
Chapter 12: Data Visualization
Unit Lesson
Welcome to Unit VIII. In the previous unit, we learned how to analyze public health information and interpret results of biostatistical analysis. We also defined examples of the dependent and independent variables and closed with a discussion on multivariable methods.
In this unit, we will discuss how to select appropriate study designs and statistical methods for public health. In doing so, we will compare and contrast various methods used in nonparametric statistics and close with some information on data presentation and visualization methods.
Nonparametric Methods
Statistical methods have different f

orms of classifications such as descriptive and inferential statistics and parametric and nonparametric methods, to list a few. We will concentrate on nonparametric methods, but let’s briefly review some points about parametric methods.
 Parametric methods work best with normally distributed populations (or close to normal populations).
 They use two parameters to achieve normal distributions, namely mean and standard deviation.
 They rely on assumptions made about a given population such as confidence interval for a population with known and unknown standard deviation, confidence interval for a population variance, and confidence interval of two means with unknown standard deviation.
In contrast with parametric methods, nonparametric methods do not have to make any assumptions about the population under study. They do not have any dependence on population under study, do not have fixed parameters, and are distribution-free methods. Many researchers have shown interest in nonparametric methods because, aside from the characteristics described above, they are easy to apply and understand, and they do not have any constraints.
UNIT VIII STUDY GUIDE
Selecting the Appropriate Study Design