Biostatistics and Epidemiology

Use your browser to download your data from the following URL;

http://161.142.92.104/ff3618/hipertensi.sav

1. Create a new variable BMI (Body Mass Index) from HEIGHT & WEIGHT. Calculate the following for BMI;

• Mean
• Mode
• Median
• Standard deviation

Copy and paste your answers into your Word file.

2. Create a new variable OBESCLAS (Classification of Obesity) from BMI. Use the following cutoff point;

• < 25 = Normal
• 25 till <30 = Overweight
• > 30 = Obese

Create a frequency table for OBESCLAS. Copy and paste the table into your Word file.

3. Conduct the appropriate statistical test to find any association between OBESCLAS and SYSTOLIC.

Copy and paste the appropriate tables/charts along with the interpretation into your Word file.

4. Assuming that both variables BMI & SYSTOLIC are normally distributed,

• conduct an appropriate statistical test to prove the association between the two variables.
• Demonstrate the association using the appropriate chart.

Copy and paste the chart and your answers into your Word file.

5. Assuming that the association in Q4 is significant, try to come out with a formula that will predict the systolic blood pressure based on the body mass index.

y = a + bx

Copy and paste the appropriate tables/charts along with the interpretation into your Word file.

Save your Word file using your matric number as its filename i.e. A20627.doc. Send it as an attachment via email to statsexam@gmail.com, using your matric number as its subject header. All answers must be sent to that email before 12.15 pm 22nd February 2013. No marks will be given for answers received after 12.15 pm 22nd February 2013.

You are hereby divided into 4 groups;

Group 1
Group 2
Group 3
Group 4

Group 1 – Case Control Study on Factors Affecting SGA
Group 2 – Cross Sectional Study on Factors Affecting Hypertension
Group 3 – Clinical Trial on 2 Drugs For Treating Depression
Group 4 – Cross Sectional Study on Factors Affecting Obesity

You are tasked to analyse your respective data and present it 2 weeks from now (20 & 22 Dec 2011). Format of presentation are as follows;

All powerpoints from all presenting groups must be placed into a folder on the desktop PC before the session starts so that we can save time. Those using other method of presentation beside Powerpoints such as Flash, Shockwave or any other forms of animation, please make sure that it will work on the PC within the given time, otherwise you and your group will lose that 20% of the final marks. You have been warned.

Time given for presentations is only 20 minutes, plus 10 minutes for Q&A sessions. So each group, please make sure that your slides do not exceed 25. Keep the introduction and literature review slides to around 5 or less. For the results, if you have many interesting findings, just focus on the very important ones, keep the rest for your written final report. I will stop your presentation at exactly 20 minutes, so you will lose a lot of marks if you haven’t covered everything. Rushing through the slides will not benefit anybody if the judge(s) cannot understand your presentation.

The following are some guides to help students in coming out with their research project;

• Writing the report in UKM style (Gaya UKM)
• Writing references in UKM style – in-text citation, references.
• UKM style – EndNote version
• Sample of a student’s final report (didn’t follow UKM style, so please refer to above links)
• Sample of a final report in UKM style
• Sample of a student’s powerpoint presentation

Attached is the marking scheme so that you guys can maximise your presentation marks.

Explaination of the marking scheme;
Title – Clearly state the “what, who, how and when”.
Introduction – Conceptual framework of the research question. All important variables of interest should be covered in the literature review.
Methodology – Main & specific objective/hypothesis, design, sampling (population, frame, method), data collection.
Results – Descriptives; mean, sd, % of main variables of interest. i.e. if study is on stress, then the prevalence of stress overall.
Results – Analytical; testing of hypothesis using the appropriate statistical tests.
Discussion – discussion of the results. Compare against results from other studies in literature review.
Conclusion – conclusion of your study and recommendations (if any)
APD – layout, design, wording size, good contrast between text and background, rule of 7 recommended.
Q&A – the answers from the lab members should indicate good understanding of research and statistical tests.

Dr Norfazilah Ahmad