Introduction to Statistical Modelling

Workshop full, waiting list only

22nd - 25th January 2013

The Centre for Research into Ecological and Environmental Modelling (CREEM) will be running a 4 day workshop to introduce participants to basic statistical modelling techniques in our purpose-built facilities at the University of St Andrews, Scotland. The course will be heavily practical based and in-class feedback will be provided using hand held personal response units (a.k.a clickers) to aid the learning of the workshop material.

The content of the four day course is below:

To illustrate the methods, a marine mammal example will be used throughout the workshop and impact assessment examples will be used for the practicals. The software package R will be used in both taught and practical sessions.

The basics:

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA): Histograms Boxplots, Scatterplots,

Measures of centre & spread: the mean, median & variance

Confidence intervals (CIs) & Hypothesis testing:

o the t-test
o Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) & Adjusted confidence intervals for multiple comparisons

Linear models:

Exploratory Data Analysis (EDA)

Model Specification: Continuous terms & Factor variables

Model Fitting & Model Selection

Model Assessment:

o The R-squared & Adjusted R-squared,
o Standardized residuals, Partial residual plots
o Formal tests for constant error variance, independence & normality
o Common fixes/alternatives

Collinearity: Identifying collinearity (VIFs) and possible remedies

Model Interpretation: parameter estimates, CIs for parameters, p-values

Prediction: Confidence intervals & Prediction intervals

Extending the linear model: Generalized Least Squares:

Incorporating autocorrelation: empirical autocorrelation functions, autoregressive processes, choosing between structures

Incorporating non-constant error variance: modelling the funnel/fan effect

Models for proportions/binary outcomes: Generalized Linear Models (GLMs)

Estimating proportions

Confidence intervals for proportions: for large and small samples

Chi-square tests for differences between proportions

GLMs for proportions: EDA, link functions, Fitting, Selection, Assessment, Parameter Interpretation

Models for count data: Generalized Linear Models (GLMs)

EDA, Confidence Intervals, Hypothesis Tests

Model Specification (with and without an 'offset')

Model Selection & Assessment

Model Interpretation & Prediction

The R software package will be used for workshop-based practicals but all code will be provided and no prior experience with the R package is assumed.

Schedule

A draft copy of the Workshop Schedule is available here.

Participants will receive a memory stick with workshop notes, printed notes and a text book.

Registration Fee

The number of participants on each workshop will be restricted to 35. Places will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis on receipt of a completed a registration form and payment in full.

The fee for the workshop is:

600.00 GBP, for a regular participant

500.00 GBP, for a registered student

Fees cover tuition, all course materials, tea/coffee breaks and lunches.

This workshop will subsidise charitable teaching of statistical modelling workshops in Africa. In previous years, workshops have been held in Mozambique, Cape Town and Kruger National Park, South Africa. Future workshops are planned for Kenya.

Location and Travel Information

For location and travel information please follow this link.

Enquiries

For further information, please contact:

Centre for Research into Environmental and Ecological Modelling
University of St Andrews
The Observatory, Buchanan Gardens
St. Andrews
Scotland KY16 9LZ
Tel:+44 1334 461842
Fax: +44 1334 461800
Email: rhona@mcs.st-and.ac.uk