mater research support centre statistics course 2006 introductory talk

Mater Research Support Centre

Statistics Course 2006

Introductory Talk

Today’s talk

• Course description

• Content management

• Technical issues

Course description 1

• Who is the course for– Statistics beginners

• Clinicians with an interest in quantitative research• Research assistants involved in data collection and analysis• Does not cover advanced or specialised areas

– Multi-dimensional models in laboratory and agricultural research

– Multi-variate models in social research

– Level of skill• High school algebra (square root, integration)• Able to surf web pages and access internet

– Resources needed• Computer with an Internet connection• Enthusiasm and perseverance

Course description 2• What will the course cover

– Research fundamentals• What is research, how to ask a research question• Data management

– Basic statistical theory• Probability, Normal distribution, Standard Error• Type I and Type II error, statistical significance

– Statistical procedures• Comparison between two groups using confidence

intervals• Simple correlation and regression• Prediction statistics• Sample size calculations• Randomisation

– Simple statistical graphics (Forest Chart)

Course description 3Overall structure of the course

Participants

5 x 3 hrscontact

sessions(30%)

Sharon EganCourse

Coordinator

Web contentsNotice Board

FAQ(50%)

Course tutors

Course description 3• Duration

– Begins with the orientation session 10th August 2006

– Ends with the last contact session 2nd November 2006

• Formal contact sessions– Orientation session– 5 x 3 hrs of lecture and discussions

• Self study and personal contacts– Resource materials on web site– FAQ page– Email contact with course

coordinator and tutors

Course description 3aThe lecture component

Participants

5 x 3 hrscontact

sessions

Sharon EganCourse

Coordinator


FAQ

Course tutors

Course description 3a

• The lecture component– All sessions are on Thursdays 1600-1900, in

conference room 3 & 4 MAH– 7th Sept : 2 sub-sessions

• Fundamentals of research

• Probability, normal distribution, standard errors, confidence intervals

– 21st Sep : differences between two groups– 5th Oct : statistical significance and sample size– 19th Oct : 2 sub-sessions

• Simple correlation and regression

• Prediction statistics

– 2nd Nov : two sub-sessions• Data management and randomisation

• General discussions, feedback

Course description 3bThe self study component

Participants

5 x 3 hrscontact

sessions

Sharon EganCourse

Coordinator


FAQ

Course tutors

Course description 3b

• Self study and electronic communication– Between 10th August and 2nd November– Web based content– FAQ– Email communication (addresses on home

page and notice board)• Course coordinator : Sharon Egan• Course Director : Allan Chang• Statistician : Scott Pain• Research fundamentals : Vicki Flenady• Data management : Sue Jenkins-Manning

Course description 4

• Problems with learning statistics– Convoluted mathematical thinking

• Much of the theory produced by mathematicians using their own format of expression

• The need for mathematical “proof”

– Specialised terminology– Linking abstract mathematical concepts with concrete

and practical research problems

• To learn statistics– Repeated exposure to the same contents

• Understand the theories and be familiar with the jargons• Do many exercises• Discuss problems with tutors

Course description 5• Multi-dimensional teaching : all components important

– Web page contents– Email correspondence with tutors– FAQ– Lecture discussion sessions

• Just attending the lectures is insufficient– Without previous reading, the lectures will be confusing– No idea what is already learnt, and what is new– No idea what questions to ask– Even if lecture can be followed, little is retained because it is too abstract

• Recommended– Do as much self study as possible, using the resource materials– Contact tutors if help needed– Consult the FAQ– Go to the lectures prepared, ask questions– After the lecture, go over the materials again– Contact tutors again if needed

Today’s talk




Content management 1

• Web site– url is www.materrsc.org/course/home.html– Username is stat– Password is mrscsc2006– Note : username and passwords are all in

lower case

• Important pages– Home page : all other pages are linked to

home page– Notice board : show all updates, changes to

content– FAQ : additional questions and answers

http://www.materrsc.org/course/home.html


• Download of contents to your computer– Each page can be saved onto your computer

• Programs are java applets in a subfolder applets• Graphics are gif files in a subfolder pics

– All contents are in a file called statcourse2006.zip• Course home page contains a link to the zip file• You will need winzip or similar program to unzip the files

• Updates and changes– The notice board will record any changes to the

contents– Bottom left corner of each page will have version

number and date of last change


• Tour of the web site– url, username, password– The use of hidden contents– The use of computer programs

on applets– The use of ctrl + c for copy and

ctrl + v for paste

• Home page– Links to other pages– Contact sessions– Course coordinator and tutors

• Notice board : architecture• FAQ : how to use

Today’s talk




Technical issues

• Dynamic pages uses Javascript• Computer programs uses JAVA applets• JAVA and scripts are blocked if the computer

is set to above medium security• JAVA applets need the JAVA Runtime

Machine (JRM) installed in your computer to run– All Mater computers have JRM installed – All UNIX, Mac and Linux have JRM installed– All Windows up to 2 years ago have JRM installed– Some versions of Windows XP do not have JRM

• Instructions on how to install JRM are on the course home page

mater research support centre statistics course 2006 introductory talk

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