Introduction to Biostatistics

Stat 4625/5625
Introduction
Ofer Harel

Department of Statistics
University of Connecticut

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Introduction to Biostatistics

Time and Place:

M-W-F 11:00-12:00, CLAS 344
On occasions we will meet in the teaching (computer)
lab CLAS 339
Instructor:Ofer Harel
Office: CLAS 320
Phone: 486-6989
Office hours: M-W 9:00-10:00 or by appointment
Email: oharel@stat.uconn.edu
Web: www.stat.uconn.edu/˜oharel

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Introduction to Biostatistics

Teaching Assistant:Jennifer Boyko

Office: CLAS 317
Office hours: by appointment
Email: jennifer.boyko@uconn.edu

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Introduction to Biostatistics

Grading:As follows
Homework: 20%
Class participation: 5%
Project 15%
Exam 1: 15% (Week of Feb 7-11)
Exam 2: 15% (Week of Mar 21-25)
Final Exam: 30% (According to the schedule)
Students of Stat 4625 and Stat 5625 will be evaluated
using different curves.
Homework: Assignments will be announced in class and
placed on the class web-site. Assignments are due in
class of the assign date.
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What is Statistics?

Statistical techniques are being used in many aspects of our life.

Surveys for elections, consumer reports, product satisfaction

etc
The effects of drugs
Product quality
Econometrics

Statistics (Dictionary.com) – The mathematics of the collection,

organization and interpretation of numerical data, especially the
analysis of population characteristics by inference from sampling.

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What is Statistics?

There are many different definitions for statistics, certain

concepts appear in most definitions: variation, uncertainty,
inference, science.
In our daily life there are many examples for the use of Statistics:
Parents of a child with genetic defect consider to have
another child. They will base their decision on the chance of
the next child will have the same defect.
To choose the best therapy, a doctor must choose between
several possibilities

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What is Statistics?

In an experiment to investigate whether a food additive is

carcinogenic (enhances the chance for cancer), the USDA
has animals treated with and without the additive.
Does smoking cause cancer?
In designing and planning medical care facilities, there is a
need to take into account changing needs of medical care.

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Biostatistics

Biostatistics is the study of statistics applied to biological areas.

Biological laboratory experiments, medical research, and health
services research are some of the different areas.
We focus on Biostatistics for several reasons:

Some statistical methodology is used more heavily in the

medical research
Examples are drawn from biological, medical and health
services areas
The audience is different, there are statisticians and
non-statisticians in this class

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Our Goals

Introduce the world of biostatistics

Talk about different studies types
Use biostatistics methodology
Apply our knowledge to real data problems
Make inference

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Study types – definitions

An observational study collects data from existing situation.

The data collection does not intentionally interfere with the
running of the system.
Notice that the act of observation might affect the system.
An experiment is a study in which an investigator deliberately
sets one or more factors to a specific level.
In general, experiments leads to stronger scientific inferences
than do observational studies.

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Study types – definitions

A laboratory experiment is an experiment that takes place in

an environment where experimental manipulation is
facilitated.
In this case, most of the variables of interest can be
controlled very closely (temp, air quality etc.)
A comparative experiment is an experiment that compares
two or more levels, treatments or techniques.
Experiment/study unit is the smallest unit on which an
experiment or study is performed.

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Study types – definitions

An experiment is a crossover experiment if the same unit

receive more than one treatment or is investigated under
more than one condition. The different treatments are given
during non-overlapping time periods.
The risks with this type of experiment are crossover effects, a
change of the experimental unit over time, permanent
physiological change in humans and animals, longer time,
higher risk for dropout
A clinical study is one that takes place in a setting of clinical
medicine.

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Definitions

A cohort of people is a group of people whose membership is

clearly defined. For example, The students enrolled to Stat
4625/5625 for Spring 2011
An endpoint is a clearly defined outcome or event associated
with en experimental or study unit. The final grade of the
above
A prospective study is one in which a cohort of people is
followed for the occurrence or non-occurrence of specified
endpoints, events or measurements.
In the analysis of prospective study the occurrence of the
endpoint is often related to cohort measurements in the
beginning of the study
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Definitions

Baseline characteristics are values collected at the time of

entry to the study.
Retrospective study is one in which people having a
particular outcome or endpoint are identified and studied. For
example, cancer registry.
A Case-control study selects all cases that meets a specific
criteria. A group called control, that serves as a comparison
group is also selected. The two groups are than compared.
A Matched case-control study matched the cases and
controls according to some characteristic.

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Definitions

Longitudinal study collects information on study units over a

specific period of time, while cross-sectional study collects
information on study units at a fixed time.
A placebo treatment is designed to appear exactly like the
active treatment but to be devoid of the active part of the
treatment
The Placebo effect results from the belief that one has been
treated rather than having experienced actual changes.
A study is a single blind if the subjects are unaware of which
treatment they are receiving. It is double blind if in addition
those who evaluate the study, do not know the group
assignment.
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