EPM5003 Principles of statistical inference
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
EPM5003 Principles of statistical inference is a level 5, 6-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2024 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Alfred Hospital. It has no prerequisites and unlocks 6 units, leading on to 10 units in all.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2024
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Alfred Hospital
- Assessment
- No exam
- 2 tasks
This is the 2024 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before EPM5003
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After EPM5003
6 units list EPM5003 as a prerequisite or corequisite.
Enrolment rules
Co-requisite: Must be enrolled in one of the following course codes:M5017, M6025, M6036
Prerequisite: (EPM5002 and EPM5014) or EPM5026.
Overview
The unit will introduce the core concepts of statistical inference, beginning with estimators, confidence intervals, type I and II errors and p-values. The emphasis will be on the practical interpretation of these concepts in biostatistical contexts, including an emphasis on the difference between statistical and practical significance. Classical estimation theory, bias and efficiency. Likelihood function, likelihood based methodology, maximum likelihood estimation and inference based on likelihood ration, Wald and score test procedures. Bayesian approach to statistical inference vs classical frequentist approach. Nonparametric procedures, exact inference and resampling based methodology.
Offerings in 2024
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Alfred Hospital | Online |
| Second semester | Alfred Hospital | Online |
Assessment
- 2 x Written assignments (35% each)70%
- Practical exercises30%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Have a deeper understanding of fundamental concepts in statistical inference and their practical interpretation and importance in biostatistical contexts.
- 2
Understand the theoretical basis for frequentists and Bayesian approaches to statistical inference.
- 3
Be able to develop and apply parametric methods of inference, with particular reference to problems of relevance in biostatistical contexts.
- 4
Have the theoretical basis to understand the justification for more complex statistical procedures introduced in subsequent units.
- 5
Have an understanding of basic alternatives to standard likelihood-based methods, and be able to identify situations in which these methods are useful.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Professor Andrew Forbes
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for EPM5003?
EPM5003 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
What can I take after EPM5003?
EPM5003 is a prerequisite or corequisite for 6 units, including EPM5006, EPM5018, EPM5032, ETC5250, ETC5550 and FIT5149. Those lead on to 10 units in all.
When is EPM5003 offered?
In 2024, EPM5003 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Alfred Hospital, with an online option.
Does EPM5003 have an exam?
No. EPM5003 has 2 assessment tasks and no exam.