Objectives
This assessment addresses Unit Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 & 4:
- Explain how statistical choices in analysis link directly to the research study design that generated the data, and the type of data,
- Explain the rationale behind hypothesis testing, and the concept of Type I and II errors,
- Differentiate the most appropriate descriptive and inferential statistics to use for common types of health data,
- Analyse health data using a statistical software package, and interpret the results.
Task
As part of an examination of patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) of a hospital, you have been asked to answer a set of research questions using routinely collected clinical and non-clinical data. See details below.
Description of variables
This data set is a subset of data from an Emergency Department hospital database. Data are provided for approximately 800 patients. There are 18 variables in the dataset containing a range of clinical and nonclinical data
A subset of the original dataset (which is unique to you) has been sent by e-mail and you will need to use this version for the Assignment.
In your analytical report you are required to answer the following research questions:
Answer all of the questions (Q1, 2 & 3):
Q1: Are males more likely to be classified as injured? In your answer, also critically examine and discuss the influence of any age differences on this relationship.
Q2: Are there differences in age by arrival mode (Walking, Public Ambulance, Private Vehicle, Private Ambulance & Other)? (You will need to create a new variable and combine the three ‘Other’ groups into one group so that you are comparing five groups in total. In the new variable name include the number of the dataset you have been assigned e.g if you have been assigned the dataset `emerdept_4_66_2_56.csv’, name the variable`arrival5grps_4_66_2_56’)
Q3: Are a patients age, DBP and number of patients per hour significant predictors of SBP? Firstly describe the relationships between each of the independent and dependent variables, and then identify which of the variables explain the largest amount of variation in SBP. If researchers are mostly interested in the association between DBP and SBP, why is the effect of age being examined (provide details relevant to your data)? (Note: you can treat `number of patients per hour’ as a continuous variable).
For each research question (Q1 to 3) you are required to fully detail an analytical plan, similar to that used in the PUB561 Activity Workbook, Week 5 (page 6 & 7).
Please use the marking guide on page 6 to guide the extent of the analysis and answers
presented for each question.
This should include, at a minimum, the following:
- State the question
- Develop and clearly articulate an analysis plan that will allow you to answer the question
- Implement the analysis plan using Jamovi and report all relevant output. If you need to modify or create new variables to implement the plan then you should describe these new / modified variables and how they were calculated.
- Interpret the results of the analysis
- Write a summary paragraph describing the question, the data and the results. Graphics should be incorporated if relevant.
- Tables and figures in the report should be professionally presented with clear numbering, titles and appropriate referencing in the written sections of the report. e.g Table 3.1 shows the results from a Chi-square test examining the association between …
Formatting and word limits
Your report should contain a title page clearly identifying the unit code, your name and student number.
You should also indicate the word count for each section of your report as outlined below and the file name and number of the dataset you used. Failure to do so will result in the assignment not being marked.
Each research question should be treated as a separate section in your report and it is expected that you will use appropriate headings within each section.
You are not required to provide a formal introduction, or search any literature or provide references in your analytical report.
The report must:
1) use 12 pt font,
2) have minimum of 1.5 line spacing, and
3) have page margins no smaller than 2cm.
It is expected the report will be well written using professional language and be free from grammatical and spelling errors. The written sections of the report should be no longer than 6,000 words excluding the analysis plans, section headings and tables/figures. The valid word count for each question should be stated on the title page of the report.
PLEASE NOTE: All requests for extensions must be submitted prior to the due date using the QUT online application (http://external-apps.qut.edu.au/studentservices/concession/ ).
Assessment submitted after the due date without an approved extension will not be marked and will receive a grade of 1 or 0%. Please read the instructions for an extension carefully.
Marking criteria
The analytical report will be marked out of a total of 210 marks according to the criteria on page 6 (last page). Please ensure you review the criteria prior to submitting your assessment.
Feedback
Feedback will be provided via the criteria marking sheet and written comments on the assessment
