Midwifery

The main general covered by the course are: 1) Data gathering, coding and entering. 2) Frequency distributions. 3) Graphs. 4) Central tendency indicators. 5) Variability indicators and association statistics. 6) Shape of a distribution. 7) Distributions. 8) Statistical tables. 9) Parameters and confidence intervals. 10) Basic statistical tests. The course would be approximately segmented as follows: mainly traditional lessons, devoted to data gathering, coding and entering, and to frequencies and graphs; then we will proceed to introducing the central tendency and dispersion indicators, and the main distributions; finally, discussion the basic statistical tests, having previously introduced the logic of the null-hypothesis statistical testing.

To more adequately digest the materials provided during the course and the to take full advantage of the study of the materials the following prerequisite apply: basic notions of arithmetic (important).

Slides and material used for the lessons will be available to students. ONE among the books listed below may be selected by students for consulting the topics inlcuded in the syllabus. M.Fraire A.Rizzi 'Elementi di Statistica' NIS (La Nuova Italia scientifica) Ed. A. Bossi, I. Cortinovis, P. Duca, E. Marubini 'Introduzione alla Statistica Medica' NIS (La Nuova Italia scientifica) Ed. P.Armitage e G. Berry, 'Statistica Medica' Mc-Graw-Hill Ed. (edizione italiana a cura di Mario Bolzan) Epidemiologia clinica F.DiOrio et al. 'Elementi di metodologia epidemiologica clinica' Piccin Ed. R.H.Fletcher et al. 'Epidemiologia clinica' Luigi Pozzi Ed. S.J.Pocock 'Sperimentazioni cliniche' Centro Scientifico Torinese Dunn-Everitt 'Biostatistica clinica' Il Pensiero Scientifico Ed. A.Morabia 'L'Epidemiologia clinica' Il Pensiero Scientifico Ed.

Mandatory

The evaluation test includes items, with four possible answers. The test must be completed in 45 minutes. For each item only one of the four options is correct. The questions tap on the extent students master the topics of the course in terms of “knowledge and understanding”, and in terms of “applying knowledge and understanding”. To pass the evaluation at a least a grade-score of “sufficiency” correct answers should be in the majority. Such a score can be interpreted as reflecting a sufficient attainment of the topics covered by the course, and of the abilities acquired. If deemed convenient, the exam could also take the form of a hands-on lab assignment.

Traditional classroom lessons and hands-on lab exercises