Applying basic statistics in life sciences and related industries
Overview
This standard is about applying basic statistics within life sciences and related
industries. You will be expected to use statistics to both plan/design the study and to
handle the data from the activity. The activity will include a sampling plan, collection
and analysis of the data followed by a report which includes a statistical analysis of
the results
Reliable data is essential in any organisation. Simply collecting the data is not
enough, applying a statistical approach will ensure that results can be reported with a
higher degree of confidence in their reliability.
You will be expected to determine the scope/parameters of the work and to carry it
out within them, recording all results. You will then be expected to use the data
gathered to produce a statistical analysis, which is likely to include, mean, standard
deviation, standard error and confidence intervals (or similar measurements). The
results will be presented in a graphical form and any improvements or actions
necessary will be reported ready for implementation.
Your responsibilities will require you to comply with organisational policy and
procedures for the statistical activities undertaken and to report any problems you
cannot personally resolve. You will be expected to work with a minimum of
supervision, taking personal responsibility for your own actions and for the quality
and accuracy of the work that you and your team carry out.
Your underpinning knowledge will provide a good understanding of design of
experiments/activities and enable you to adopt an informed approach to applying
basic statistics. You will have an understanding of data analysis and its application.
Who is this standard for
This standard is for senior technicians who have assumed some line management
responsibility
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
P1 ensure that the work is carried out in accordance with workplace procedures to
protect yourself and others
P2 select the experiment/process that is to be the subject of statistical study
P3 determine the scope/parameters of the study
P4 estimate the resources and the expected benefits for the study
P5 carry out a pilot study and ensure good experimental management
P6 implement any improvements suggested from the pilot study, before carrying
out the full study
P7 record the results in the appropriate format
P8 analyse the data gathered using the appropriate statistical method
P9 produce the results of the statistical analysis in the appropriate format interpret
the statistical data collected and produce a report of the results
P10 communicate the required information about the work done, to authorised
people, in accordance with departmental and organisational procedures
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
K1 the health and safety requirements of the area in which the activities are being
carried out
K2 the legal and regulatory frameworks within which you are working and the
implications of failing to comply with either
K3 the lines of communication and responsibilities in your department, and their
links with the rest of the organisation
K4 the limits of your own authority and to whom you should report if you have
problems that you cannot resolve
K5 how to determine the scope of an experiment
K6 the advantages of good experimental design
K7 how to use a sampling plan and experimental method to reduce systematic
errors
K8 the advantages of using basic statistics in data analysis
K9 the meaning of and how to use basic statistical terms such as ‘population’ and
‘sample’
K10 the types of distribution curves and their properties
K11 how to calculate mean, median, mode, standard deviation, range, inter-quartile
range and variance
K12 how to create and use tables, charts and graphs e.g. histograms, box plots, time
series charts, pareto diagrams, stem and leaf diagrams etc.
K13 how to construct confidence intervals
K14 how to assess the significance of the results of the study
K15 how to present the data in a suitable form in a report