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Hypothesis Testing in Public Health

John McGready, PhD, MS

4.8

Based on 646 ratings

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John McGready, PhD, MS

Biostatistics is an essential skill for every public health researcher because it provides a set of precise methods for extracting meaningful conclusions from data. In this second course of the Biostatistics in Public Health Specialization, you'll learn to evaluate sample variability and apply statistical hypothesis testing methods. Along the way, you'll perform calculations and interpret real-world data from the published scientific literature. Topics include sample statistics, the central limit theorem, confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, and p values.

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What's inside

Syllabus

Sampling Distributions and Standard Errors

Within module one, you will learn about sample statistics, sampling distribution, and the central limit theorem. You will have the opportunity to test your knowledge with a practice quiz and, then, apply what you learned to the graded quiz.

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Develops foundational skills that are standard in public health research

Taught by John McGready, PhD, MS, a recognized thought leader in biostatistics

Examines statistical methods that are broadly applicable to health research

Includes real-world examples and case studies to demonstrate practical applications

Offers a mixture of lecture videos, practice quizzes, and graded assignments

Course focuses on developing practical skills and knowledge

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Reviews summary

Hypothesis testing for public health

According to learners, this course is a highly valuable resource for public health professionals needing to understand statistical inference. Students found the explanations clear and easy to follow, praising the excellent instructor for breaking down complex topics into manageable parts. The practical project, which applies concepts to real-world public health scenarios, was frequently highlighted as a strength and a rewarding experience. While many appreciated how the course builds well on previous material from the specialization, a few noted that the pace can feel fast and it might be challenging without prior statistical knowledge. Overall, reviewers recommend it for its relevance and effectiveness in teaching essential biostatistics skills.

Good follow-up to Part 1.

"It's a perfect follow-up to the first course in the specialization."

"Excellent course! Builds perfectly on the first course."

Highly relevant to the field.

"...highly relevant to real-world public health research."

"Highly recommended for anyone in public health needing to understand statistical inference."

"The focus on public health examples is very helpful."

"Essential for anyone working with public health data."

"I appreciate the public health context."

Hands-on project applies knowledge.

"The quizzes and project are challenging but fair and highly relevant to real-world public health research."

"The project is great for applying what you learn."

"The project was challenging but rewarding."

"The project was a highlight."

"The project is a great capstone."

Concepts are explained clearly.

"The concepts are explained in a way that is easy to grasp."

"The explanations are clear, concise, and build upon each other logically."

"The instructor is excellent, breaking down complex topics into manageable parts."

"The instructor makes hypothesis testing understandable."

"This course clarified many concepts... The instructor's explanations are top-notch."

Can be challenging/fast pace.

"Sometimes the pace felt a little fast, and I had to rewatch some lectures."

"Definitely requires significant time commitment."

"A bit challenging at times, but manageable if you put in the work."

"Found this course very difficult. The explanations were too fast-paced for me..."

"Needed much more supplemental material to understand."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Hypothesis Testing in Public Health with these activities:

Contribute to a biostatistics project on GitHub

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Contributing to an open-source biostatistics project will provide hands-on experience with practical applications of biostatistical methods, enhance your technical skills, and give you the opportunity to collaborate with a community of experts.

Browse courses on Biostatistics

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Find a biostatistics project on GitHub that aligns with your interests and skills.
Review the project documentation and identify areas where you can contribute.
Make changes to the code, documentation, or other aspects of the project.
Submit a pull request with your contributions.
Collaborate with the project maintainers to refine and merge your changes.

Review probability and statistics

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Reviewing the basics of probability and statistics will provide a solid foundation for understanding the concepts covered in this course.

Browse courses on Probability

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Review probability concepts such as conditional probability, joint probability, and Bayes' theorem.
Refresh your knowledge of descriptive statistics, including measures of central tendency and dispersion, such as mean, median, standard deviation, and variance.
Practice solving basic statistical problems, such as finding probabilities and calculating confidence intervals.

Solve practice problems

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Engaging in practice drills will reinforce your understanding of the statistical methods covered in this course and improve your problem-solving skills.

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Find practice problems from textbooks, online resources, or the course materials.
Solve the problems step-by-step, showing all your work.
Check your answers against the provided solutions or consult with the instructor or a tutor for feedback.

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Watch video tutorials

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Watching video tutorials can provide clear and concise explanations of the statistical concepts covered in this course, supplementing your understanding from lectures and readings.

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Find video tutorials on topics related to the course material, such as hypothesis testing, confidence intervals, and statistical analysis.
Watch the videos actively, taking notes and pausing to reflect on the concepts being presented.
Review the videos as needed to reinforce your understanding.

Join a study group

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Participating in a study group allows you to collaborate with peers, discuss course concepts, and gain diverse perspectives, which can deepen your understanding and improve your retention of the material.

Browse courses on Biostatistics

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Find or create a study group with other students enrolled in the course.
Meet regularly to discuss course material, work on practice problems together, and quiz each other on key concepts.
Take turns leading discussions and presenting your understanding of the topics.

Develop a research proposal

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Creating a research proposal will provide you with an opportunity to apply the statistical methods learned in this course to a real-world research question, enhancing your understanding of the practical applications of biostatistics.

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Identify a public health research question that interests you.
Develop a hypothesis and research objectives.
Design a study to test your hypothesis, including the sampling method, data collection methods, and statistical analysis plan.
Write a research proposal outlining your study design, methods, and expected outcomes.
Get feedback on your proposal from your instructor, peers, or a mentor.

Create a course summary

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Creating a course summary will help you organize and synthesize the key concepts covered in this course, improving your retention and understanding of the material.

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Review your notes, assignments, quizzes, and exams.
Identify the main concepts and topics covered in each module.
Summarize the key points and important formulas for each topic.
Organize your summary into a concise document or presentation.

Write a blog post

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Writing a blog post about a statistical concept or application will force you to articulate your understanding, deepen your knowledge, and potentially benefit others by sharing your insights.

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Choose a specific statistical concept or application that you want to write about.
Research the topic thoroughly and gather relevant information.
Organize your thoughts and outline the structure of your blog post.
Write the blog post, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and engagement.
Proofread your post and publish it on a platform of your choice.

Career center

Learners who complete Hypothesis Testing in Public Health will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Biostatistician

Biostatisticians apply statistical methods to solve problems in biology and public health. Their work helps researchers make sense of data and draw conclusions about the effectiveness of treatments, the spread of diseases, and more. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides a strong foundation in statistical methods that are essential for biostatisticians.

See salaries and explore the career path for Biostatistician

Public Health Analyst

Public health analysts use data to identify and solve public health problems. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides public health analysts with the skills they need to analyze data and make informed decisions about public health policy and programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Public Health Analyst

Epidemiologist

Epidemiologists investigate the causes and spread of diseases. They design and conduct studies to collect data on the incidence, prevalence, and risk factors for diseases. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides epidemiologists with the skills they need to design and conduct valid and reliable studies.

See salaries and explore the career path for Epidemiologist

Health Policy Analyst

Health policy analysts develop and evaluate policies that aim to improve the health of the population. They may work for government agencies, non-profit organizations, or private companies. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides health policy analysts with the skills they need to analyze data and make informed decisions about health policy.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Policy Analyst

Clinical Research Associate

Clinical research associates (CRAs) work with doctors and other healthcare professionals to conduct clinical trials. They ensure that clinical trials are conducted according to Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and that the data collected is accurate and reliable. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides CRAs with the skills they need to understand and apply GCP guidelines, and to analyze and interpret clinical trial data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Clinical Research Associate

Data Analyst

Data analysts use data to solve problems and make informed decisions. They may work for a variety of organizations, including businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides data analysts with the skills they need to analyze data and make informed decisions in the field of public health.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Health Educator

Health educators teach people about health and healthy behaviors. They may work in schools, community centers, or other settings. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides health educators with the skills they need to evaluate the effectiveness of health education programs and to make informed decisions about how to improve health outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Health Educator

Medical Writer

Medical writers create written materials about medical and health-related topics. They may work for pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, or other organizations. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides medical writers with the skills they need to understand and interpret scientific data, and to write clear and concise medical documents.

See salaries and explore the career path for Medical Writer

Project Manager

Project managers plan, execute, and close projects. They may work in a variety of industries, including public health. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides project managers with the skills they need to manage public health projects and to ensure that they are completed on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.

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Quality Assurance Specialist

Quality assurance specialists ensure that products and services meet the required quality standards. They may work in a variety of industries, including public health. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides quality assurance specialists with the skills they need to understand and apply quality assurance principles and to conduct quality assurance audits.

See salaries and explore the career path for Quality Assurance Specialist

Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Regulatory affairs specialists ensure that products and services comply with the relevant laws and regulations. They may work for a variety of organizations, including pharmaceutical companies, medical device companies, and other organizations. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides regulatory affairs specialists with the skills they need to understand and apply the relevant laws and regulations, and to prepare regulatory submissions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Science Writer

Science writers write about scientific and technical topics for a variety of audiences. They may work for newspapers, magazines, websites, or other organizations. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides science writers with the skills they need to understand and interpret scientific data, and to write clear and concise science articles.

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Statistician

Statisticians use statistical methods to collect, analyze, and interpret data. They may work in a variety of industries, including public health. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides statisticians with the skills they need to apply statistical methods to public health data and to make informed decisions about public health policy and programs.

See salaries and explore the career path for Statistician

Research Scientist

Research scientists conduct research to advance scientific knowledge. They may work in a variety of fields, including public health. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course provides research scientists with the skills they need to design and conduct valid and reliable research studies, and to analyze and interpret research data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Scientist

Teacher

Teachers teach students at all levels, from preschool to college. The Hypothesis Testing in Public Health course may be useful for teachers who want to teach public health or statistics courses. The course provides teachers with the skills they need to understand and teach the principles of hypothesis testing and statistical inference.

See salaries and explore the career path for Teacher

Reading list

We've selected ten books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Hypothesis Testing in Public Health .

Environmental Statistics and Data Analysis

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Provides a comprehensive overview of biostatistics, including topics such as sampling distributions, confidence intervals, and hypothesis testing. It valuable resource for students and researchers in public health.

Hypothesis Testing in Public Health

Two deals to help you save

What's inside

Syllabus

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Reviews summary

Hypothesis testing for public health

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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