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 3 Overall structure of the course

Course description 3 Duration –Begins with the orientation session 10 th August 2006 –Ends with the last contact session 2 nd 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 – contact with course coordinator and tutors

Course description 3a The lecture component

Course description 3a The lecture component –All sessions are on Thursdays , in conference room 3 & 4 MAH –7 th Sept : 2 sub-sessions Fundamentals of research Probability, normal distribution, standard errors, confidence intervals –21 st Sep : differences between two groups –5 th Oct : statistical significance and sample size –19 th Oct : 2 sub-sessions Simple correlation and regression Prediction statistics –2 nd Nov : two sub-sessions Data management and randomisation General discussions, feedback

Course description 3b The self study component

Course description 3b Self study and electronic communication –Between 10 th August and 2 nd November –Web based content –FAQ – 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 – 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 Course description Content management Technical issues

Content management 1 Web site –url is –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

Content management 2 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

Content management 3 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 Course description Content management 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