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 Introduction to Biostatistics 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.

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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 Introduction to Biostatistics short course is offered twice per year: once online and once in-person.

  • Classroom: 18-22 March 2024
  • Online:  2-6 September 2024

Course details

Classroom course

  • Date: 18-22 March 2024
  • Duration: Five half-day sessions – 9:00 am-12:30 pm each day 
  • Venue: Vernon Collins Lecture Theatre Room 1.050, 1st-floor HELP Precinct, The Royal Children’s Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Victoria 3052.

Online course

  • Dates: 2-6 September 2024
  • Duration: Five half-day sessions – 9:00 am-12:30 pm each day 
  • Venue: Online via Zoom

Course fees (classroom & online)

  • $350 for internal applicants – Melbourne Children’s campus staff only (Murdoch Children's Research Institute, The Royal Children's Hospital and the University of Melbourne, Department of Paediatrics)
  • $750 for external full-time students and Melbourne Academic Centre for Health (MACH-affiliated) institutions (please enter institution name)
  • $1,000 for external applicants with no appointment on Melbourne Children’s campus
  • Returning participants: We offer a 50 per cent 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 Trybooking. 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. MCRI staff must not make credit card payments and seek reimbursement from an MCRI cost centre (this is not permitted).

  • Go to Unimarket (Unimarket can also be accessed from the MCRI 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 (General Ledger) 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

Full course timetable

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

CEBU course timetable