Short Courses in Applied Statistics

Course outline

Regression is a powerful technique for studying relationships between quantitative variables. Summarising relationships by the most appropriate equation (modelling) is very quick when using a statistical package. It is also easy to progress from basic models to more complex situations, such as comparison of regressions.

The course introduces commonly-used linear regression techniques using a combination of presentations and computer-based practicals, whereby theory is firmly placed into practice. You will have a choice of packages from Genstat, Instat, Minitab, R, SAS, SPSS and Stata.

Who should attend?

Scientists and technologists who need to be conversant with the concepts of regression and the process of choosing a model. Attendance on A Review of Basic Statistics, or equivalent knowledge, will be assumed.

How you will benefit

Participants will acquire an appreciation of how basic regression concepts can be extended easily to investigate more complex situations. You will also learn how to interpret computer output and to report results in non-statistical language, as well as a guide to the analysis of variance table.

Course content

The course is divided into two one-day sessions:

Day 1:
Exploratory data analysis: modelling relationships
Simple linear regression: fitting straight lines and curves
Assessing the model assumptions: model-checking using residuals
Extensions to the linear model: comparison of regression lines

Day 2
Multiple linear regression and model selection
Use of transformations; case study - use of the logarithmic transformations
Quadratic regression models and their application
Common issues in multiple linear regression: interpretation of R-squared, correlation versus regression, association versus causation, multicollinearity

Participants can attend one or both days, but those who choose to attend only day 2 should be familiar with the methods covered in day 1.

Discounts

An Academic discount is available for this course.
Consecutive courses, i.e. A Review of Basic Statistics plus day 1 of this course: £825 in total; A Review of Basic Statistics plus days 1 and 2 of this course: £1045 in total.