Discussion Post: Application and Interpretation of Public Health Data
Part I
• Statistics is an important component of public health. Explain the relevance of statistics in the planning, implementation, and evaluation of a health promotion intervention. How do you envision using statistics in your current or future career?
• Describe the difference between quantitative and qualitative methods. Explain how each are used in public health.
Part II
• Frequency distributions can be graphed with bar charts, histograms or polygons. Choose one variable from the "Health Behavior Data Set" and discuss which type of graph is appropriate and why. Refer to section 2.3 in the Using and Interpreting Statistics: A Practical Text for the Behavioral, Social, and Health Sciences textbook as needed for assistance.
• The mean, median, and mode are measures of central tendency. Explain why these measures are crucial to public health data analysis.
Part III
• Summarize the six steps of hypothesis testing. Propose a scenario in which hypothesis testing is applied to public health data.
• Compare and contrast descriptive and inferential statistics. Discuss why both descriptive and inferential statistics are used in the analysis of public health data.
Part IV
• Correlation is a common statistic to measure a general linear relationship between two variables. Explain why correlation does not equal causation.
• Explain the differences between parametric and nonparametric tests. How do you determine if a parametric or nonparametric test should be used when analyzing data?
Part V
• Compare the various types of ANOVA by discussing when each is most appropriate for use. Include specific examples to illustrate the appropriate use of each test and how interaction is assessed using ANOVA.
• When analyzing public health data, describe the steps you would take to determine what statistical test to conduct. Discuss the impact of data type on test selection.
Part VI
• Given the limited amount of statistical calculations required by some public health positions, explain why it is important for you to know how to utilize appropriate software to analyze public health data. Support your ideas with reasons, facts, and examples.
• Discuss three strengths of the linear regression? Identify a peer-reviewed study that uses linear regression in its analysis. Explain why linear regression was used and discuss one challenge in interpreting the results. Include the permalink with your citation.
Part VII
• Describe three methods for qualitative data collection and discuss an example of when each method would be used.
• Describe the process of coding qualitative data. Identify the distinguishing factors between inductive and deductive coding.
Part VIII
• Refer back to your response to Topic: "Statistics is an important component of public health. Explain the relevance of statistics in the planning, implementation and evaluation of a health promotion intervention. How do you envision using statistics in your current or future career?" After completing the course, how has your vision changed regarding the role statistics will have in your current or future career?
• Discuss an ethical challenge you might face as a researcher when collecting and analyzing data from human subjects. What is an IRB and why is it necessary?
The response should include a reference list. Double-space, using Times New Roman 12 pnt font, one-inch margins, and APA style of writing and citations.