University of Technology Sydney

92491 Health Analytics

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Health
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 92489 Foundations of Health Information Management AND 90 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10360 Bachelor of Public Health

Description

The correct use and interpretation of data is important for planning and decision making in public health and the health system. Students undertaking this subject establish the knowledge and skills required to analyse and interpret health data, and to critically evaluate the results of epidemiological studies. This subject covers the most common statistical concepts and tests used in health science including descriptive and inferential statistics. Learning in the subject focuses on the interpretation of output and the appropriate use of methods of analysis rather than computing or programming skills. On completion of this subject, students are able to select the appropriate statistical analyses taking research questions and study designs into account.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
A. Construct and explain research questions to enable responsible and ethical decision making and research in public health
B. Compare and contrast different types of statistical analysis
C. Perform and interpret basic statistical analyses using a statistical software package
D. Communicate the results of statistical analyses
E. Retrieve and update data from a database

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:

  • Identify and use culturally sensitive and appropriate communication techniques aimed at improving health in diverse populations (3.1)
  • Recognises the need of supportive and responsive evidence-based practice in diverse communities (4.2)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

This subject also contributes specifically to the following graduate attributes:

2. Adaptability: Demonstrate creative and adaptive thinking within a changeable social, political and technological environment

  • 2.1 Demonstrate adaptable and novel thinking within changing environments to maximise outcomes for a range of individuals, communities and stakeholders
  • 2.2 Utilise enquiry based learning to develop innovative approaches to complex issues
  • 2. 3 Manage and adapt to the environment to maximise integration of care and outcomes for a range of individuals, communities and stakeholders
  • 2.4 Identify opportunities for change and support others through change processes
  • 2.5 Apply newly generated or existing data to inform optimal care and/or service development

4. Ethics and diversity: Are ethical and responsible professionals who value the diversity of people and communities

  • 4.2 Make use of research and data to enable responsible, ethical and equitable service provision

5. Critical thinking and practice: Translate research and evaluation into social and professional practice through critical thinking and knowledge integration

  • 5.1 Identify appropriate information resources and apply effective and creative solutions for the improvement of individuals and communities

Teaching and learning strategies

This subject is designed to assist students understand statistical and analytical techniques and tools used in health.

Pre-workshop learning
Students access online learning resources prior to attending face-to-face on-campus workshops to improve their confidence in approaching the proposed content, afford them time to construct questions, and facilitate discussion in class, resulting in shared learning, experiences and reflections. The specific workshops will be detailed in this subject outline and all resources will be located on UTSOnline.

Quizzes will test student understanding of preparatory and worshops. The workshops will provide practical experience with using the R program.

Content (topics)

  • Introduction to R – introduction to R language; calculating summary statistics, R graphics
  • Introduction to statistical inference
  • Inference for proportions and means
  • Statistical inference in R
  • Linear regression
  • Multiple linear regression
  • Logistic regression
  • Regression models in R
  • SQL – basics

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Online quizzes (Two)

Intent:

The purpose of this assessment item is to determine how well students understand fundamental statistical concepts, including descriptive statistics, confidence intervals, and the interpretation of output from statistical packages.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B and C

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

.5 and 4.2

Type: Quiz/test
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%
Length:

Two online quizzes, each involving 10 multiple choice questions. Students will be given two attempts at each quiz, with a maximum of 30 minutes at each attempt to complete the quiz. The quizzes will be delivered in UTS Online. The highest mark of the two attempts will be recorded.

Assessment task 2: Data analysis assessment 1

Intent:

The purpose of this assessment item is to determine how well students can apply their statistical knowledge to analyse datasets and interpret the analyses.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C and D

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

.5, 3.1 and 4.2

Type: Case study
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

Assessment task 3: Database analyses

Intent:

This assessment item focusses on using a database program to obtain information and merge large databases.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

E

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

.5 and 4.2

Type: Case study
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%

Assessment task 4: Data analysis assessment 2

Intent:

The purpose of this assessment item is to determine how well students can apply their statistical knowledge to analyse datasets and interpret the analyses.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s):

A, B, C and D

This assessment task contributes to the development of graduate attribute(s):

.5, 3.1 and 4.2

Type: Case study
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

Required texts

Thre is no prescribed text for this subject. Links to references and electronic resources will be made available on UTSOnline.

References

Links to references and additional resources are provided on UTSOnline.

Other resources

UTS Student Centre
Building 10

Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm
Tel: 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887)

Details for student centres: www.uts.edu.au/current-students/contacts/general-contacts

For other resources/ information refer to the Faculty of Health website (www.uts.edu.au/about/faculty-health) and UTSOnline at: https://online.uts.edu.au/webapps/login/

UTS Library
The Library has a wide range of resources, facilities and services to support you including textbooks, subject readings, health literature databases, workshops and bookable study rooms. There is also a team of librarians to help you with your questions available via online chat, phone and in person. W: lib.uts.edu.au, Facebook: utslibrary, Twitter: @utslibrary Tel: (02) 9514 3666.

Improve your academic and English language skills
Marks for all assessment tasks such as assignments and examinations are given not only for what you write but also for how you write. If you would like the opportunity to improve your academic and English language skills, make an appointment with the HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support) Service in Student Services.

HELPS (Higher Education Language & Presentation Support)
HELPS provides assistance with English language proficiency and academic language. Students who need to develop their written and/or spoken English should make use of the free services offered by HELPS, including academic language workshops, vacation intensive courses, drop-in consultations, individual appointments and Conversations@UTS (www.ssu.uts.edu.au/helps). HELPS staff are also available for drop-in consultations at the UTS Library. Phone (02) 9514 9733.

Please see www.uts.edu.au for additional information on other resources provided to students by UTS.