Course Code: ZOOL 41512
Title: Statistical Methods in Zoology
Pre-requisite: ZOOL 22543
Co-requisite: None
Status: Theory cum Practical.
Compulsory.
Learning outcomes:
After completion of the course unit, the student will be able to;
- apply appropriate statistical methods for the analysis of numerical data relevant to biological studies,
- use appropriate software packages to analyse biological data, and
- interpret biological data in a scientific manner.
Course content:
Introduction to scientific method and the statistical approach, Introduction to types of biological data, Sample statistics and population parameters, Probability and cumulative density functions, Models of probability distributions including binomial distribution, hypergeometric distribution, Poisson distribution and normal distribution. Confidence intervals, Error-bound, Hypothesis testing. Chi-square test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Product moment correlation, Simple linear regression, Probit analysis, One-way ANOVA, Two-way ANOVA. Multiple comparison procedures including Tukey’s test, Scheffe’s test. Non-parametric statistics including; Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal Wallis test, Wilcoxon signed rank test, Rank correlation, Multivariate statistics including similarity matrix, cluster analysis, MDS and PCA.
Practical sessions on the use of statistical software packages for data analysis.
Method of teaching and learning:
A combination of lectures, computer based learning on the use of statistical software packages, assignments, self-studies, small group discussions.
Assessment:
In-course assessment and end of semester examination.
Recommended reading:
- Fowler, J. & L. Cohen (1994). Practical Statistics for Field Biology: Wiley & Sons, Chichester.
- Sokal, R. R. & F. Rohlf (1995). Biometry. W.H. Freeman and company, New York.
Zar, J. H. (1999). Biostatistical Methods. Prentice-Hall, New Jersey