Biostatistics, Study Design, and Epidemiology

This week, we released a new Rx Bricks collection on Biostatistics, Study Design, and Epidemiology. Biostats is an area where medical students aren’t always comfortable, since, unlike anatomy, physiology, and pathology, it deals with areas that heavily involve math and statistics.

However, biostatistics and epidemiology serve as the foundation of evidence-based medicine, and are considered key competencies among practicing physicians. In the era of Covid, these skillsets have become even more critical, whether modeling for the spread of an epidemic or determining the probability of developing effective vaccines.

In this collection, we provide an introduction to the principles and practice of biostatistics, study design, and epidemiology, framed through the lens of public health. The goal is to prepare medical students so that they can be ready to answer questions like:

• Who is impacted by a particular health problem?
• How prevalent is it?
• What is causing the issue?
• Are there ways it can be treated and/or prevented?

Here is a look at what we cover in this new collection, from the fundamentals of statistics to the basics of study design to the basics of epidemiology.

Biostatistics and Study Design

Biostatistics

Fundamentals of Statistics

• Descriptive Statistics and Data Representation
• Inferential Statistics: Sampling Populations
• Statistical Hypothesis Testing: Foundations and Frameworks

Statistical Analysis

• Fundamentals of Statistical Analysis
• Comparative Statistics: Parametric Tests
• Comparative Statistics: Nonparametric Tests
• Comparative Statistics: Correlation and Regression Analysis

Diagnostic Testing

• Diagnostic Test Characteristics
• Applying Tests to Clinical Decisions: Pretest and Posttest Probability

Decision-Making

Reasoning

• The Scientific Method and Research Reasoning
• Clinical Reasoning

Research Studies

Basics of Study Design

• Research Question Creation and Evaluation
• Study Design: Foundations and Frameworks

Observational Studies

• Descriptive Observational Studies
• Analytical Observational Studies
• Analytical Observational Studies: Outcome Measurements

Clinical Studies

• Randomized Controlled Trials: Foundations and Frameworks
• Randomized Controlled Trials: Design and Implementation
• Randomized Controlled Trials: Evaluation and Analysis

Filtered Studies

• Filtered Studies: Meta-analysis and Literature Searches

Elements of Study Design

• Study Design: Qualitative Studies and Mixed Methods Research
• Study Design: Survival Analysis
• Study Design: Sample Size and Power
• Study Design: Bias
• Study Design: Confounding and Effect Modification

Epidemiology and Public Health

Epidemiology

Basics of Epidemiology

• Tools of Epidemiology
• Cost-Effectiveness Analysis
• Clinical Drug Trials