Practical information for Biostats Course VHM 802 at AVC - Winter Semester 2025

Course contents and aims

From the course announcement:

- Course content overview:

regression analysis (multiple linear regression and logistic regression models),

experimental design and ANOVA analysis (multifactorial models),

random effects models and repeated measures models,

power and sample size,

option for material on multivariate analysis.

- Detailed course topics (keywords):

simple linear and polynomial regression,

multiple linear regression (model selection, regression diagnostics),

logistic regression (model selection, regression diagnostics) and generalized linear models,

model-building and assessment of confounding,

analysis of covariance and general linear models,

analysis of variance (1-way, 2-way and multifactorial),

experimental designs: blocking versus replication, complete/incomplete designs, Latin squares and balanced incomplete designs, cross-over designs,

random effects models (e.g. split-plot designs and hierarchically nested factors),

repeated measures models and analysis,

methods for dealing with clustering in continuous and discrete data,

power and sample size calculation in simple and complex models,

option for multivariate topics: principal components and factor analysis, cluster analysis, classification methods.

Course aims:

• to provide an understanding of and practical experience with the statistical models covered in the course, to the level where the student is able to apply the models and methods and to critically assess the results,
• to guide the student through a case study of a analysing statistically a real dataset (preferably the student's own data), reporting and presenting the results (in a seminar).

Course organization (VHM 802 part)

Lectures:

presentation of new material (incl. computer demonstrations),

Labs:

possibly review of a prepared exercise (instructor/student),

computer demonstrations,

individual work on additional exercises using computers,

Project:

analyse data using methods in course, write report in the form of a manuscript (plus detailed explanation of statistical analysis), and present work in a seminar,

Open hours consultancy:

fixed weekly time (Thursdays 1:00-2:00 pm) for questions on textbook, methodology, exercises, programs, project, etc.,

Homework:

expected preparation of one exercise for most lab sessions,

project work and home assignments (see below)

Examination:

40% home assignments: 6 assignments (4 without VHM 812 regression component), marked as passed/not passed,

30% project work (report and seminar),

30% final written exam.

Course material

• main textbook for experimental design focus is Gary Oehlert: A first Course in Design and Analysis of Experiments, 2000, W.H. Freeman, ISBN 0716735105; the text is out of print, but can be downloaded for free.
• main textbook for multivariate analysis focus is: Bryan Manly and Jorge Alberto: Multivariate Statistical Methods: A Primer, 4th ed, Routledge/CRC Press, ISBN 1498728960; the 3rd edition will do as well.
• additional main text is Chapters 14-16 of: Dohoo IR, Martin SW, Stryhn H, Veterinary Epidemiologic Research, 2nd ed., 2009. VER-Inc, Charlottetown, Canada (free download), (alternatively the corresponding material in: Dohoo IR, Martin SW, Stryhn H, Methods in Epidemiologic Research, 2012; free download)
• course material at web page: lecture overheads, solutions to exercises and assignments, etc.
• lecture notes to parts of course not covered by textbook.

Course software