Introduction to Biostatistics

Course overview

A comprehensive introduction to the key underlying concepts of statistics and the most commonly used methods of statistical analysis in health research, with a focus on simple research questions and study designs such as randomised trials, and emphasis on the interpretation of statistical findings.

Course format

Topics covered in the course include:

  • Statistical steps in a research study and describing the study sample
  • Introduction to statistical inference: the target parameter (population), as defined by the research question, and its estimation (in the sample)
  • Answering descriptive research questions, estimation of means and proportions
  • Answering causal research questions, estimation of mean differences, risk differences, risk ratios and odds ratios
  • Standard error, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing and p-values
  • Elements of sample size estimation: the basics

Materials supplied: All course material is provided electronically before the course, and solutions to the tutorials are made available as the course progresses.

Participants to supply: Calculator. 

University of Melbourne
This course is delivered by the Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics Unit (CEBU), a working partnership between Murdoch Children's Research Institute and the University of Melbourne.

Course dates

This course is offered online and in the classroom, over five half-day sessions. See below for online and classroom details.

  • Classroom: 27-31 March 2023
  • Online: 04-08 September 2023

Please note: course dates and/or venue may be subject to change. 

Course details

Classroom course 

  • Date: 27-31 March 2023
  • Duration: Five half-day sessions - 9:00 am - 12:30 pm each day 
  • Venue: 1st-floor HELP Precinct, Vernon Collins Lecture Theatre Room 1.050, The Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052.

Important: To attend this course you will need to adhere to The Royal Children's Hospital visitor guidelines. Please check them to ensure you are able to comply at least one week prior to attending the course. 

Online course

  • Dates: 04-08 September 2023
  • Duration: Five half-day sessions - 9:00 am - 12:30 pm each day 
  • Venue: Online via Zoom

Course fees (classroom & online)

  • $300 for internal applicants - Melbourne Children’s campus staff only (Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital and The University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics)
  • $700 for external full-time students and Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH-affiliated) insitutions (please enter institution name)
  • $1,000  for external applicants with no appointment on Melbourne Children’s campus
  • Returning participants: We offer a 50% discount for people who have previously attended this course and would like to attend a refresher. Find out more by contacting the email address below.
  • Low- or middle-income country (LMIC) participants: We offer special rates for people from low- or middle-income countries. Find out more by contacting the email address below. 

Payment and registration

Payment by credit card (not available to Murdoch Children's Research Institute staff)

You or your organisation can register and pay for the course directly via the Trybooking link below with a credit card. Follow the prompts to make payment and register. You will receive a course confirmation and tax invoice via email.  Please note: There is a Trybooking fee of 50 cents per registration which will be applied when you register online.

Trybooking - Register for Introduction to Biostatistics

Payment via Unimarket (Murdoch Children's Research Institute staff only)

Payment must be made via Unimarket. Murdoch Children's staff must not make credit card payments and seek reimbursement from a Murdoch Children's cost centre (this is not permitted).

  • Go to Unimarket (also can be accessed from the Murdoch Children's intranet homepage for internal staff).
  • Log in and search for CEBU as a supplier.
  • Select CEBU courses and add the required course to the shopping cart for the CEBU course/s you wish to enrol in.
  • The GL account for training is 34460. Instructions on using Unimarket are on the intranet (internal staff only).
  • Once your Cost Centre manager approves it, CEBU will email you with the Trybooking link and promotional code to register for the course.

Please note: Your place in the course is not confirmed until you have registered via Trybooking.

Cancellation of registration

You can apply for a refund or request to change the course session to a different date pending availability if it is received seven (7) calendar days prior to the course start date. No refunds or credits will be issued for cancellations or non-attendance after this time.   

Contact us

Clinical Epidemiology & Biostatistics Unit (CEBU)
Murdoch Children's Research Institute
The Royal Children's Hospital
50 Flemington Road
Parkville VIC 3052
Australia

Fiona Snashall or Julie Perkins
Email:
Phone: show phone number

 
 

See our full course timetable below for information on all CEBU courses.

CEBU course timetable