Building statistical capacity among Science research students Glenys Bishop
Statistical Consulting Unit Consulting support is available, free of charge, to Honours and graduate students and staff in all parts of the University. advice on statistical aspects of the design of research studies advice and assistance in data collection and handling, statistical modelling and the presentation of results collaborative student and staff research formal supervision of MPhil and PhD students courses designed to make researchers aware of modern statistical practice.
Consulting Clients (to 31 October 2010) Level Discipline PhD46% Hons/Master40% Staff/Postdoc14% Med, Biol, Envir76% Arts, Soc. Sc.12% Other12% Total number 262
Short Courses Number Four 3-day courses each year (different topics) One 2-day tailored course Total attendance each year Purpose and Result Raise awareness of statistical issues Lead to higher demand for consulting service Resource intensive e.g. 3-day course five days preparation, three staff during the course for lecturing and tutoring
4.2 consultants
Consultants Consultants: many students do not have enough statistical knowledge for a meaningful discussion Dean of Science Dean of Science: the lack of statistical knowledge of Science students Concerns
Consultants Consultants: many students do not have enough statistical knowledge for a meaningful discussion Dean of Science Dean of Science: the lack of statistical knowledge of Science students Make an on-line introductory Statistics course available to all Science honours and graduate students Outcome
On-line Course Considerations Subject matter conceptual, not formula-driven Ensure relevance by using examples from ANU research Use facilities available in ANU where possible Minimum maintenance for the SCU Support from Science staff Engage students
Computer Assisted Statistics Texts
Modern with dynamic illustrations of concepts Students can try things in a dynamic environment Very few formulae, except in the advanced e-books Supported by an active Statistics lecturer Exercises for much of the introductory material; more being developed Interesting international data sets of a scientific nature Creative commons licence: can be downloaded to local website
Relevance Case Study: data set with description Chose several data sets with at least one categorical and two numerical variables Requested permission to use Wrote description that researcher checked Conducted model analyses for two of them
Introductory Statistics Online Select topics for about 30 hours of student time Course set up in Wattle supporting Moodle For each topic write objectives select teaching materials and exercises from CAST include case studies where possible compose quiz how long did this topic take? Pre-course quiz Final assignment, using a case study News, discussion, Introduction forums Course evaluation
Putting It All Together Seminar to Honours and Graduate Student Coordinators in Science Call for enrolments and enrol students Start discussions, make announcements Answer student questions Make corrections where necessary Workload 140 hours to set up, 1 hour per week maintenance for 10 weeks
Enrolments in ISO Initial enrolments35 Enrolments held over4 Completed pre-course quiz22 Intend to continue?12* Completed topic 113* Completed topic 210 Completed topic 82 *16 people involved
On-line Course Considerations Subject matter conceptual, not formula-driven (CAST) Ensure relevance by using examples from ANU research (Case studies) Use facilities available in ANU where possible (Moodle via Wattle) Minimum maintenance for the SCU (1-2 hours per week) Support from Science staff Engage students
Topics for Discussion Voluntary vs compulsory of a not-for-credit course Encouraging students to take a voluntary online course Engaging students in an online environment Minimum amount of staff input Scope of the topics chosen Developing skills outside the research student's chosen discipline Ease of implementation and constraints of the university environment