Outline

Overview

Throughout our lives, information about our health and the care we receive is recorded and stored across various health-related databases. Data linkage is a process that brings together information from different databases about the same individual, family, place or event. This process creates a chronological sequence of health events or individual 'health story' that can be combined into a much larger story about the health of people. This information can be used for research or to improve health services. This unit is suitable for health services researchers, policy makers, clinical practitioners, biostatisticians, and data managers. We introduce how data linkage is conducted, illustrate how data linkage can be used for research, highlighting the advantages, dangers, and pitfalls. We describe how to design linked data studies, outline the data management steps required before analysing the data, and discuss some of the methods and issues of analysing linked data. Students will have access to data from a real data linkage and will gain hands-on experience to develop their programming skills for handling large complex datasets.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Public Health
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	(PUBH5010 or BSTA5011 or CEPI5100) and (PUBH5211 or PUBH5217 or BSTA5004)
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	The unit assumes introductory-level programming skills in SAS or R, assumes introductory-level knowledge in epidemiology, e.g., PUBH5010 or CEPI5100, and introductory-level knowledge in biostatistics or statistics, e.g., PUBH5018
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Erin Cvejic, erin.cvejic@sydney.edu.au
Demonstrator(s)	Joseph Van Buskirk, joseph.vanbuskirk@sydney.edu.au
	James Hedley, james.hedley@sydney.edu.au
	Heather Baldwin, heather.baldwin@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Kylie-Ann Mallitt, kylie-ann.mallitt@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Small continuous assessment	Module 2 Exercise Module exercise solutions and associated statistical code.	20%	- Due date: 14 Jun 2023 at 23:59	3-5 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflective activities Written assessment	30%	- Due date: 25 Jun 2023 at 23:59	5-6 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Analysis Report Written data analysis assessment	50%	- Due date: 01 Jul 2023 at 23:59	6-8 pages plus program code
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Students will submit their solutions and associated statistical code for the Module 2 Exercise. Time will be scheduled as part of the block mode workshop to complete this task in-class.
Reflective activities will require students to reflect on the topics covered within selected modules and provide a personal reflection statement on their learning, or create multiple choice questions with answers and explanations based on theoretical topics.
The analysis report will require students to perform a data analysis using linked data and report on their findings, including providing the relevant statistical code used to generate the responses.

Detailed information for each assessment will be provided on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Grade	Mark Range	Description
AF Absent fail	Range from 0 to 49	To be awarded to students who fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard through failure to submit or attend compulsory assessment tasks or to attend classes to the required level.
FA Fail	Range from 0 to less than 50	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, fail to demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard established by the faculty.
PS Pass	Range from 50 to less than 65	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard
CR Credit	Range from 65 to less than 75	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard
D Distinction	Range from 75 to less than 85	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard
HD High distinction	Range from 85 to 100 inclusive	To be awarded to students who, in their performance in assessment tasks, demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
-	Day 1: Introduction to data linkage systems	Block teaching (8 hr)
	Day 2: Privacy, ethics, and data security; Characterising populations using linked data	Block teaching (8 hr)
	Day 3: Measuring health and services using linked data	Block teaching (8 hr)
	Day 4: Health care outcomes research using linked data	Block teaching (8 hr)
	Day 5: Risk adjustment using linked data	Block teaching (8 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Enrolled students are expected to attend all live lectures and Q&A sessions, either in-person or online, unless prior arrangements have been made with the unit of study coordinator.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. understand the theory of data linkage methods and features of comprehensive data linkage systems, sufficient to know the sources and limitations of linked health data sets
LO2. apply epidemiological principles to the design of studies using linked data
LO3. construct numerators and denominators for the analysis of disease trends and health care utilisation and outcomes
LO4. assess the accuracy and reliability of data sources
LO5. check data linkages and assure the quality of the study process, e.g. consistency of definitions, missing data
LO6. list the issues to be considered when analysing large linked data files
LO7. write syntax to prepare linked data files for analysis, derive exposure and outcome variables, relate numerators and denominators, and produce results from statistical procedures.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This course was last delivered in block mode in November 2022. In response to student feedback, the weighting of the final assessment task has been reduced, and the assessment of an in-class Module Exercise included. This will provide the opportunity for some earlier feedback on submitted work prior to completing the final major assessment. A selection of previously recorded lectures will be delivered live, or re-recorded for this delivery.

Additional information

Access to either R or SAS (installed locally or via remote access), and a stable internet connection, is required to complete this unit of study.
Offsite students will be required to connect to the university VPN to access data sets for use in practical activities.
Before gaining access to learning resources, students will be required to agree to a confidentiality agreement
It is prohibited to copy and locally store the data sets used in this unit of study.

Further information will be provided on Canvas.

The Centre for Health Record Linkage (CHeReL)

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

PUBH5215: Analysis of Linked Health Data

Intensive June, 2023 [Block mode] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect