Basic methods and reasoning in Biostatistics September 2020

The course consists of e-learning modules, online ‘live’ lectures, short videoclips and online question hours.

The LUMC course ‘Basic Methods and Reasoning in Biostatistics’ covers the fundamental toolbox of biostatistical methods plus a solid methodological basis to properly interpret statistical results.The course is a mandatory part of the LUMC Graduate School Program and a prerequisite for any of the advanced biostatistical courses offered by the LUMC. This is a basic course, which targets a wide audience. The course is planned for a single week (+ e-learning preparation in the week before), followed by a final examination on the next Tuesday.

Each day we start with a lecture in Kaltura live room, followed by a question hour for discussing questions on the elearning. Two lectures are elective: for participants interested on this topic, we offer an advanced elective lecture on modern prediction techniques. Also, since many of the examples during the course stem from clinical research, one elective lecture dedicated to pre-clinical research is offered.

The rest of the day participants work individually watching the video clips and working through the elearning.

In the short online videoclips (about 10 minutes each), several statistical experts will discuss topics related to the reasoning part of biostatistics. Subjects covered are among others: study design, bias, multiple testing, good statistical practice, sample size calculation, pros and cons of p-values.

In the elearning part of the course, we will cover the basic methods of data description and statistical inference (t-test, one-way ANOVA and their non-parametric counterparts, chi-square test, correlation and linear regression, logistic regression, introduction to survival analysis and introduction to repeated measurements). For participants who are new to data analysis, the e-learning offers step-by-step guidance on how to perform these procedures in SPSS. Participants who are used to working with R can do the exercises in R instead of SPSS (note that no step-by-step guidance is not offered for R). Participants who have already studied the e-learning topics in previous courses can use the e-learning as a refresher and work through the modules more quickly. An online forum is available within the elearning for posing questions during the full week and during preparation the week before.

Make sure you have either SPSS or R (according to your preference) installed on your computer to work through the elearning. You can find an SPSS trial version at https://www.ibm.com/analytics/spss-trials. R is a free software environment and can be downloaded from the R project website. Contact the ICT department if you need help with the installation.

Prerequisites

• Secondary school mathematics. No prior knowledge of biostatistics required.

Preparation

You will get access to the elearning modules around Aug 31st. You are advised to work through the first 5 modules of the elearning before the official start of the course on Sept 7th.

Teaching environment

• Online live lectures, recorded lectures and e-learning including practical sessions with SPSS or R.

Recommended book

• Aviva Petrie & Caroline Sabin (for reference purposes only; not used during course)
  Medical Statistics at a Glance.
  ISBN 0-632-05075-6

Exam

• The exam assesses your knowledge of the topics discussed in the course (mostly elearning but also questions about the video clips and mandatory lectures)
• The exam will take place on Tuesday 15 September 2020

For more information

• Please see this introductory video about the course: video.

LUMC

Albinusdreef 2, 2333 ZA Leiden

Participation fee for employees LUMC/PhD Students    €  150

Participation fee outside LUMC                                      €  950

Bachelor/master students of the Leiden University are free of charge**  
**Participation is free of charge for bachelor and master students of the Leiden University but only when you fill in your student email address and your student number. Please be informed that we have limited places available for students because this course is mandory for PhD Students. 

Please be informed that we can ask you to show your student pass at registration.

Please note that a fee will be charged to LUMC students who do not attend courses or who are too late with cancelling their participation of the course.