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1. 1
Assessment instructions
PSYC-1115: Applied Epidemiology & Statistics in the Global Context1
1) Introduction to the assessment
This assessment involves analysis and interpretation of a public health related data
set, and the preparation of workbook in a format of a technical report. Choosing and
applying statistical tests to a dataset provided and interpreting the output will
increase students’ familiarity with statistical methods and their critical interpretive
skills.
This assessment has he following aims:
• To increase your understanding of statistical techniques by applying them to data
• To build your confidence in using statistical software
• To gain skills in sourcing and retrieving health and epidemiological information
• To help you acquire the skills necessary to write and present a technical report/
workbook
2) Background
Task: Each student will be provided with a dataset and will analyse the data,
interpret the results and prepare a technical report/workbook of the findings.
The data are derived from the Health Survey for England 2003 dataset. Student will
be provided with different versions of the dataset; thus, study findings may differ
slightly between students.
Because we are not using the complete survey database and some changes have
been made to the description of the methodology to simplify comprehension of the
data, we will refer to the country as Pinkland instead of England for the purpose of
this assessment.
3) Instructions
You will be provided with a dataset (Pinkland.SAV) in SPSS format. Make sure you
can open the database in SPSS.
Analysing the data
It is for you to decide what are the appropriate methods using the knowledge you’ve
learned from the material studied in this module.
Analysis:
• Descriptive statistics & descriptive epidemiology of the sample & main outcome
variable (BMI)
1 This has been adapted by Kafui Adjaye-Gbewonyo from Amanda Adegboye

2. 2
• Inferential statistics & analytical epidemiology (association between BMI and other
variables)
Write an extended technical summary about your findings. At a minimum, the
workbook/technical report should provide estimates for men and women of the
prevalence of overweight and obesity and identify which population groups are most
at risk.
You must carefully consider which of the output from SPSS is necessary to include
in the workbook/ technical report. Do NOT cut and paste tables directly from the
SPSS output files without deleting superfluous text and figures. Please edit the
charts to make them reader friendly.
Round values for your data to no more than four significant figures. (For the same
number of significant figures, different variables will have different numbers of
decimal places because they are measured using different units. For example, mean
Z scores may have three decimal places, while mean weight in kg might only have
one or two.) Also, except for very small p-values, values of most test statistics should
be rounded to two decimal places.
Please remember:
For the purposes of writing your report/workbook, the data are from Pinkland even
though you know that the data are actually from England.
Completing the assessment
While you may wish to discuss ideas with other students about how to analyse the
data, it is absolutely essential that you write up your results individually. Working
together on your written work is considered a form of cheating and is an assessment
offence.
You will most likely choose to analyse your data and present your findings in
different ways from your classmates and there is no single correct approach.
a) Minimum recommended process for data analysis and for reporting of the
findings
You should always clearly state the objectives of your analyses. For example, ‘A
paired t-test was performed to assess the mean difference in x between the two sets
of observations.’
Descriptive statistics
 Summarise the demographic characteristics of the sample in terms of age, sex,
ethnicity, and marital status. You could treat age as a continuous variable, and/or
group it into appropriate categories.
 You can also summarise variables such as car ownership, family size and limiting
longstanding illness.

3. 3
 Create a new continuous variable, BMI, from the values of weight and height.
Remember BMI is measured as weight in kilograms (kg) divided by the square of
height in metres (m). The units for BMI are kg/m2.
 Summarise the data relating to BMI. You will need to include measures of location (or
central tendency) and measures of spread (variation) and to report confidence
intervals.
 In order to give prevalence rates of overweight and obesity, create a new categorical
variable from BMI using the threshold values of 18.5, 25 and 30 as follows:
o BMI <18.5 = underweight
o BMI from 18.5 to 24.99 = normal weight
o BMI ≥ 25.00 = overweight
o BMI ≥ 30.00 = obese
 If the data allows you can further classify the obese group into: Obese class 1 (BMI
from 30 to 34.99); Obese class 2 (BMI from 35.00 to 39.99); Obese class 3 (BMI ≥
40.00).
Inferential statistics and analytical epidemiology
 Investigate if and how BMI is associated with age, sex, and educational attainment.
 You can choose whether you use BMI as a continuous variable or as the derived
categorical variable.
 You can choose how to use age (continuous or categorical) and educational
attainment (if you prefer to condense education into fewer categories or use the
number of categories originally defined).
b) Additional Analysis (Optional)
Investigate the association of BMI with ethnicity, car ownership, occupation and
presence of long-standing illness. You can also look at the association between
presence of long-standing illness and ethnicity and check if the burden of disease is
distributed evenly across ethnic groups or not. Again, you are free to re-group the
variables. For example, ethnicity could be treated as a binary variable (white vs non-
white).
c) Report writing: Guidance on the style of a technical report/ workbook
Technical/ executive summaries are briefing documents written by technical experts
on specific topics for decision-makers (often civil servants, programme managers or
administrators.) They are commissioned to provide information on specific questions
or issues and to provide a basis for decision- making and action. As such they should
put forward all the relevant facts and set out the relevant issues. The aim is to inform
the reader sufficiently to enable her/him to understand the reasons for and implications

4. 4
of any decisions and subsequent actions that she/he takes. Information presented in
the report should not include personal views that are not supported by the data or by
other evidence/literature. You should assume that the person you are writing for is
intelligent and proficient, but busy, and not an expert in relation to the issue in hand.
The report should include a short background, aim(s) of the report, key results a
discussion and conclusions.
Below are suggestions of content that should be covered in each section:
Introduction
 Why overweight/obesity is an important issue in this particular country. (You can use
data and evidence from England and the UK to support this section.)
 Why this survey is needed
Objectives
 Clear statement of the aims of the report
Methods
 Brief description of data collection and sampling procedure
 Important features of the study design and quality control
 Description of how the variables used in the analysis were defined
 Description of the analysis plan for descriptive and inferential statistics (for
categorical and continuous variables) and of the software used for analyses
Results
 Description of the sample (e.g. age distribution, gender, socio-economic status,
demographics, etc), descriptive statistics for the nutritional variables (BMI) and for
other health outcomes used in the analysis
 Presentation of the results of analytical analyses (associations between BMI and
other variables).
 At least one table and one graph
Discussion and conclusions
 Compare your findings to the WHO values (for example) which indicate a crisis and
to other relevant literature on the topic
 Suggested reasons for the patterns and trends in the data based on the research
and literature
 Identify any limitations of your data analysis and the survey methodology
 Identify the need for intervention to address the problems identified and make
recommendations

5. 5
References
 Keep a list of all references in the Harvard format. Preferably use appropriate
software for this.
d) Length (max 2500 words +/- 10%)
The maximum length of the workbook is not limited to the text only, this includes
tables and figures/charts, but excludes the reference list. To simplify the length
estimation, each table (regardless of the size) will count as 100 words and each
graph as 50 words.
For example, if you include 4 tables (4 x 100 = 400) and 2 graphs (2 x 50 =100) in
your workbook you have used 500 words. The remaining 2000 will be distributed as
text across the workbook.
IMPORTANT: The reference list is NOT included in the word count.
Marking criteria
Please see the attached rubric for details of the marking criteria and grading scale.
The criteria for passing this assessment include:
Data analysis and interpretation (Accounts for 75% of the mark)
• Use of appropriate tests
• Appropriate use and display of tables and graphs
• Presentation of results (key prevalence rates, identification of high-risk groups and
main associations)
• Adequate interpretation of key results
• Reasons for the patterns and trends in the data
• Explanations clear and understandable
• Degree of synthesis / creative thought demonstrated
• Limitations of survey methodology and of your data
• Use of statistical software package (SPSS) to conduct data analyses and present
results.
Academic writing and referencing (Accounts for 25% of mark)
• Clarity and logical organisation of the report/workbook
• The style of the text is clear, simple, concise, logical and systematic
• Page style / font / margins appropriate
• Reference list and in text references consistent
• References using Harvard style

6. 6
• Reference list complete and without errors
• Supplementary items cross referenced and appropriate
• Appropriate text explaining tables and graphs
• Clear English with coherent flow and correct grammar
• Appropriate length
Submission
The assessment must be submitted electronically on Monday the 11th of January
2021 by 11:30 pm GMT using the Coursework Submission section on Moodle. You
can use the Originality Report section on Moodle to check the originality of your
assignment before submitting.

7. 7

8. Marking Rubric
80-100%
Exceptional
70-79% Excellent 60-69% Very Good 50-59% Good 30-49% Fail 0-29% Fail
Domain 1:
Knowledge and
understanding of
content
• Use of appropriate
tests
• Appropriate use
and display of
tables and graphs
• Presentation of
results (key
prevalence rates &
descriptive
statistics,
identification of
high-risk groups
and main
associations)
Sophisticated and
comprehensive
knowledge of basic
statistics and
epidemiology and a
systematic
understanding of
the statistical and
epidemiological
concepts taught in
the module.
Appropriate use of
the relevant theory,
methodologies,
practices and tools
to analyse and
synthesise data at
the master's level.
This includes the
use of appropriate
statistical tests and
presentation of
appropriate
descriptive
statistics and
descriptive
epidemiology for all
analyses.
Extensive
knowledge of basic
statistics and
epidemiology and a
clear
understanding of
the statistical and
epidemiological
concepts taught in
the module.
Appropriate use of
the relevant theory,
methodologies,
practices and tools
to analyse and
synthesise data at
the master's level.
This includes the
use of appropriate
statistical tests and
presentation of
appropriate
descriptive
statistics and
descriptive
epidemiology for
nearly all analyses.
Very good knowledge of
basic statistics and
epidemiology and a
reasonable understanding
of most of the statistical
and epidemiological
concepts taught in the
module. Mostly
appropriate use of the
relevant theory,
methodologies, practices
and tools to analyse and
synthesise data at the
master's level. This
includes the use of
appropriate statistical tests
and presentation of
appropriate descriptive
statistics and descriptive
epidemiology for most of
the analyses.
Good knowledge of basic
statistics and
epidemiology and an
understanding of many of
the statistical and
epidemiological concepts
taught in the module.
Reasonable use of the
relevant theory,
methodologies, practices
and tools to analyse and
synthesise data at the
master's level. This
includes the use of
appropriate statistical
tests and presentation of
appropriate descriptive
statistics and descriptive
epidemiology to conduct
and present at least half
of the analyses.
Inadequate
knowledge of basic
statistics and
epidemiology.
Limited
understanding of
the statistical and
epidemiological
concepts taught in
the module.
Inappropriate use
of the relevant
theory,
methodologies,
practices and tools
to analyse and
synthesise data at
the master's level.
Only some (less
than half) of the
analyses are
conducted with
appropriate
statistical tests or
presented with
appropriate
descriptive
statistics and
epidemiology.
Little to no
knowledge of basic
statistics and
epidemiology and
poor understanding
of the statistical and
epidemiological
concepts taught in
the module. Inability
to use the relevant
theory,
methodologies,
practices and tools to
analyse and
synthesise data at
the master's level.
Few if any analyses
are conducted with
appropriate statistical
tests or presented
with appropriate
descriptive statistics
and epidemiology.

9. Domain 2: Use of
research informed
evidence
• Appropriate text
explaining tables
and graphs
• Reasons given
for the patterns and
trends observed in
the data
• Limitations of
survey
methodology and of
your data
discussed
Use of relevant
literature showing
critical awareness
of current problems
and new insights
related to the
assessment topic
(overweight &
obesity).
Discussion of
results and study
limitations
demonstrates a
comprehensive
understanding of
techniques
applicable to the
research, originality
in the application of
knowledge, and a
practical
understanding of
how established
techniques of
epidemiological
research and
enquiry are used to
create and interpret
knowledge in the
discipline.
Conceptual
understanding that
enables the student
to critically evaluate
current research
and advanced
scholarship in the
discipline, as well
as to evaluate
methodologies.
Use of relevant
literature showing
high awareness of
current problems
and/or new insights
related to the
assessment topic
(overweight &
obesity).
Discussion of
results and study
limitations
demonstrates an
extensive
understanding of
techniques
applicable to the
research, originality
in the application of
knowledge, and a
practical
understanding of
how established
techniques of
epidemiological
research and
enquiry are used to
create and interpret
knowledge in the
discipline.
Conceptual
understanding that
enables the student
to evaluate current
research and
scholarship in the
discipline, as well
as to evaluate
methodologies.
Use of relevant literature
showing adequate
awareness of current
problems related to the
assessment topic
(overweight & obesity).
Discussion of results and
study limitations
demonstrates a very good
understanding of
techniques applicable to
the research, appropriate
application of knowledge,
and an understanding of
how established
techniques of
epidemiological research
and enquiry are used to
create and interpret
knowledge in the discipline.
Conceptual understanding
that enables the student to
evaluate research and
scholarship in the
discipline, as well as to
evaluate some
methodologies.
Use of literature showing
moderate awareness of
current problems related
to the assessment topic
(overweight & obesity).
Discussion of results and
study limitations
demonstrates a good
understanding of
techniques applicable to
the research, reasonable
application of knowledge,
and a modest
understanding of how
established techniques of
epidemiological research
and enquiry are used to
create and interpret
knowledge in the
discipline. Conceptual
understanding that
enables the student to
evaluate some research
and scholarship in the
discipline.
Use literature
shows limited
awareness of
current problems
related to the
assessment topic
(overweight &
obesity).
Discussion of
results and study
limitations
demonstrates a
weak
understanding of
techniques
applicable to the
research,
inadequate
application of
knowledge, and a
limited
understanding of
how established
epidemiological
techniques of
research and
enquiry are used to
create and interpret
knowledge in the
discipline. Little
understanding of
concepts needed to
evaluate research
and scholarship in
the discipline.
Use of literature
shows little to no
awareness of current
problems related to
the assessment topic
(overweight &
obesity). Discussion
of results and study
limitations
demonstrates a
misunderstanding of
techniques
applicable to the
research, a lack of
application of
knowledge, and a
poor understanding
of how established
techniques of
epidemiological
research and enquiry
are used to create
and interpret
knowledge in the
discipline. No
understanding of
concepts needed to
evaluate research
and scholarship in
the discipline.

10. Domain 3:
Evaluation and
analysis
• Adequate
interpretation of
key results •
Explanations clear
and understandable
• Degree of
synthesis / creative
thought
demonstrated
Demonstrates
critical thinking and
enquiry; deals with
the issues both
systematically and
creatively; makes
sound judgements
based on the data;
able to
communicate
conclusions clearly
to specialist and
non-specialist
audience. Able to
draw upon critical
evaluation of
current knowledge
in the field to
propose new
hypotheses.
Originality in critical
analysis and
interpretation and
application to
appropriate
contexts.
Demonstrates
critical thinking and
enquiry; deals with
the issues
systematically or
creatively; makes
sound judgements
based on the data;
able to
communicate
conclusions clearly.
Able to draw upon
evaluation of
knowledge in the
field to propose
hypotheses.
Originality in
analysis and
interpretation and
application to
appropriate
contexts.
Demonstrates some critical
thinking and enquiry; deals
with the issues
systematically or creatively;
makes good judgements
based on the data; able to
communicate conclusions
adequately. Some
originality in analysis and
interpretation.
Deals with the issues
systematically or
creatively; makes good
judgements based on the
data; able to
communicate conclusions
adequately.
Does not deal with
the issues
systematically or
creatively; makes
few judgements
based on the data;
not able to
communicate
conclusions
adequately.
Does not deal with
the issues
systematically or
creatively; makes
poor or unsound
judgements based on
the data; not able to
communicate
conclusions.
Domain 4:
Communication,
Organisation and
Presentation
• Clarity and logical
organisation of the
report/workbook
• Page style / font /
margins
appropriate •
Supplementary
items (tables,
graphs, etc.) cross-
referenced and
appropriate
• Clear English with
coherent flow and
correct grammar
Expresses ideas
effectively and
fluently. Follows
prescribed format
and structure for
the
workbook/report
and demonstrates
originality in
planning and
implementing the
workbook/report at
a professional level
by going beyond
the minimum
requirements.
Keeps to the word
limit. Use of clear,
accurate English.
Expresses ideas
effectively. Follows
prescribed format
and structure for
the
workbook/report
and demonstrates
thoughtfulness in
planning and
implementing the
workbook/report by
going beyond the
minimum
requirements.
Keeps to the word
limit. Use of clear
English. Few errors
in writing. Well
organised and well
Expresses ideas
adequately/sufficiently.
Follows prescribed format
and structure for the
workbook/report and meets
the minimum requirements.
Keeps to the word limit.
Use of good English. Not
many errors in writing.
Organised and presented
with flow and progression.
Expresses ideas
adequately/sufficiently.
Follows prescribed format
and structure for the
workbook/report and
meets the minimum
requirements. Keeps to
the word limit. Use of
understandable English.
Some errors in writing.
Some organisation
showing progression.
Expresses ideas
inadequately. Does
not follow
prescribed
format/structure for
the
workbook/report or
does not meet
minimum
requirements. Does
not keep to the
word limit (either
too long or too
short). Improper
use of English or
several errors that
get in the way of
understanding.
Expresses ideas
poorly. Does not
follow prescribed
format/structure for
the workbook/report
and does not meet
minimum
requirements. Poor
use of English with
many errors that
prohibit
understanding. No
organisation or
progression.

11. • The style of the
text is clear, simple,
concise, logical and
systematic
• Appropriate length
Minimal errors in
writing. Well
organised and well
presented, with
flow and
progression.
presented, with
flow and
progression.
Little organisation
or progression.
Domain 5:
Referencing and
coverage (5%)
• Reference list and
in-text references
consistent
• References using
Harvard style
• Reference list
complete and
without errors
Sources used are
all acknowledged in
the text and
reference list
(including online
sources).
References are
done professionally
using the Harvard
style. Referencing
is consistent
throughout and
without errors.
Reference list is
outstanding in
terms of its breadth
and depth and all
references are from
reputable and high-
quality sources.
Comprehensive
range of evidence
used.
Sources used are
all acknowledged in
the text and
reference list
(including online
sources).
References are
done professionally
using the Harvard
style. Referencing
is consistent
throughout with
minimal errors.
Reference list is
excellent in terms
of its breadth and
depth and nearly all
references are from
reputable and high-
quality sources.
Extensive range of
evidence used.
Sources used are all
acknowledged in the text
and reference list (including
online sources).
References are mostly
done professionally using
the Harvard style.
Referencing is fairly
consistent throughout with
few errors. Reference list is
very good in terms of its
breadth and depth and the
majority of references are
from reputable and high-
quality sources. Wide
range of evidence used.
Most sources used are
acknowledged in the text
and reference list
(including online
sources). References
include most of the
required information but
with some errors in terms
of formatting according to
the Harvard style.
Referencing is fairly
consistent. Reference list
is good in terms of its
breadth and depth and
many references are from
reputable and high-quality
sources. Decent range of
evidence used.
Few sources used
are acknowledged
in the text.
Reference list is
not formatted
academically.
Referencing is not
consistent and has
many errors.
Reference list is
inadequate in
terms of its breadth
and depth and
many references
are not from
reputable or high-
quality sources.
Limited range of
evidence used.
No sources used are
acknowledged in the
text. Reference list is
poor or non-existent.
No evidence from
reputable sources
presented.
Domain 6: Graduate
employability and
application of skills
• Use of statistical
software package
(SPSS) to conduct
Exceptional or
advanced range of
practical and
technology-based
skills using a
statistical software
Excellent range of
practical and
technology-based
skills using a
statistical software
Good range of practical
and technology-based
skills using a statistical
software package (SPSS)
for data analysis.
Some practical and
technology-based skills
using a statistical
software package (SPSS)
for data analysis.
Limited practical
and technology-
based skills in
using a statistical
software package
Little to no practical
and technology-
based skills in using
a statistical software
package (SPSS) for
data analysis.

12. data analyses and
present results.
package (SPSS)
for data analysis.
package (SPSS)
for data analysis.
(SPSS) for data
analysis.