Basics of Biostatistics

Basics of Biostatistics - Statistical Empowerment: Take the Best Advantage of Your Data and Research

The course will give an overview of important concepts and methods used to analyse “Biomedical data”. The primary focus will be on developing a profound understanding of statistical concepts and their application within a research framework. Starting with a broad introduction to probability theory and statistical inference, the course will delve into specific statistical methods crucial for analysing biomedical data. Real-world examples will be used to illustrate these methods, enhancing practical comprehension. The course will be composed of sessions, each combining face-to-face theoretical lectures with practical exercises, additional short homework assignments will be provided.

Topics that are going to be addressed:

• Introduction. Descriptive statistics. Sampling distribution. Confidence intervals
• Hypothesis testing. The student t-test
• Analysis of variance. Multiple comparison procedures.
• Correlation and regression. Multiple regression analysis. Partial correlation
• Analysis of Covariance
• Categorical data, Effect Size and a summary of inference methods
• Students’ data analysis presentations

What NOT to expect:

• While the mathematical framework of statistical tests will be introduced, this is not a course focused on the in-depth mathematical methods in statistics. The emphasis is on practical application rather than extensive theoretical mathematics.
• The course will demonstrate data analysis using R, but it is not designed as a detailed tutorial on the R software itself. Limited time will be devoted to explaining the R software. Instead, the focus is on utilizing R as a tool for statistical analysis.
• Omics data analysis, despite its importance, is not within the scope of this course. Participants should not expect coverage of omics-related statistical methodologies.

AGENDA:

• 14 April, 14:00-17:00: Introduction. Descriptive statistics. Sampling distribution. Confidence intervals
• 21 April, 10:00-13:00: Hypothesis testing. The student t-test
• 28 April, 14:00-17:00: Analysis of variance. Multiple comparison procedures.
• 5 May, 10:00-13:00: Correlation and regression. Multiple regression analysis. Partial correlation
• 12 May, 14:00-17:00: Analysis of Covariance
• 19 May, 10:00-13:00: Categorical data, Effect Size and a summary of inference methods
• 26 May, 14:00-17:00: Students’ data analysis presentations

At the end of the course, the students will be able to:

• Express a scientific question in a mathematical formulation possible to analyse with statistical method.
• To be confident about sampling methods and their impact on the quality of the data.
• Think on the basis of experimental design: replication, randomization and stratification.
• Think about the appropriate statistical method given the data we have (dependent and/or independent variable, continuous or categorical variables).
• Have a deep understanding of the meaning and interpretation of a test statistic and how to construct own statistic given data.
• Have a correct understanding of key words in basic statistic: null hypothesis, alternative hypothesis, error type I, error type II, statistical power, observational study, experimental study, causation and correlation, sampling error, random error, systematic error, sampling distribution, p-value, statistical and practical significance, effect size, statistical power.
• Correct interpretation of the result of a statistical test and been aware of the limitations of the applied methods.

Pre-requisits: Participants must have basic R programing skills. If you don't have it, you can do this COURSE
Instructor: Hafid Laayouni (UPF)
Duration: 7 sessions of 3 hours each (total 21h)
When: Tuesdays, alternating mornings and afternoons (10:00-13:00 and 14:00-17:00) from April 14th to May 26th.
Where: CRG Training Centre, Bioinformatics room (PRBB Patio)
Maximum number of participants: 18
Registration deadline: 27th March 2026, 2pm
Register HERE

For any information, please send an email to CRG Training and Academic office (TAO): training@crg.eu