Statistical Methods for Research Workers

12.30 - 3.30 pm on the following Fridays: 9, 16, 23, 30 March; 20, 27 April; 4, 11 May 2007.
(ie Week 2 to Week 10, excluding Week 6 and Recess)

Statistical Methods for Research Workers is an introductory course on statistics, which is being offered by the Statistical Consulting Service. It is designed for postgraduate students and for staff. No previous knowledge of Statistics is assumed.

Statistics books emphasise the analysis of data, but it is unfortunately true that most research investigations which fail do so because of poor planning. This course will begin with a consideration of the steps needed to ensure that your investigation will be valid. For example, what is your research hypothesis? Can it be tested? How large a sample should you take? Attention will be given to how to collect the data, and how to enter them into the computer (there are general rules which can be given for all statistical packages).

Once the data are entered, it is necessary to get a picture of them before you launch into a complicated analysis. This course will tell you about some of the modern innovations in data display.

Many statistical techniques involve certain basic distributions: the Binomial, Poisson, Normal, Student's t, Chi-Squared and F; their use will be demonstrated. Important concepts in statistical inference, involved in estimation or the testing of hypotheses, will be explained. These include confidence intervals, null and alternative hypotheses, significance level, power, critical regions. Finally, some of the basic tools of statistics, namely linear regression, analysis of variance, and the analysis of two-way contingency tables, will be presented.

The material in this course is assumed knowledge for all clients who seek statistical assistance from the Statistical Consulting Service, and for more advanced courses given by the Service.

The cost of the course is $90 (if paying via the University accounts system) or $99 (if paying by cash or cheque - this includes GST) per person. A receipt will be issued. The course is limited to a maximum of 20 people. Enrolments will be taken strictly in order of receipt. The course will not run if there are insufficient enrolments.

Details of the precise location of the course will be sent with your receipt. To enrol for this course, please complete the enrolment form and return it, with a cheque for $99 (payable to "University of Wollongong"), to the School of Maths & Applied Statistics. Alternatively, provide a University account number which may be debited, and have the debit approved by an authorised signatory. Applications will not be accepted without accompanying payment.

The course is given by Dr Chandra Gulati.

Updated: May 07

Last reviewed: 10 May, 2007