1. Computer Labs: Information and Overview
This element of the module is designed to help develop your ability ability to design data collection and to perform statistical analysis to a modern standard in scientific disciplines spanning ecology, agriculture, and environmental science. This will be done through a series of walkthrough tutorials and independent exercises centered around basic through to more advance statistical methods using R.
You will develop the ability to match evidence generated by statistical analysis to research objectives, and to deal with different common data types (e.g., continuous, count, proportion, binary). This module is aimed to impart key skills important for MSc and PhD research and for those considering careers in research, or for roles involving data analysis, evidence interpretation or statistical numeracy in any way.
1.1 Intended Learning Outcomes
As per the module descriptor on the learning hub, the lectures and computer labs are designed to address the following learning outcomes:
1) Design data collection, sampling, and justification of sample size;
2) Construct scientific hypotheses and choose amongst a range of appropriate statistical methods in a null hypothesis testing framework;
3) Perform repeatable statistical analysis using a software package demonstrating a range of methods;
4) Demonstrate problem solving in data handling and assumption testing for a range of typical statistical analysis methods;
5) Interpret and report the results of statistical analysis, and present results in an appropriate format for a range of experimental designs;
6) Demonstrate the practical application of the Generalised Linear Model (GLM) in data analysis.
If you have not yet completed the General Introduction to Statistics and R then it is strongly recommended that you do so before continuing with these computer labs as some prior knowledge is assumed throughout.
1.2 Script Template
A script template can be downloaded here.
1.3 Data
All data used in these computer labs is provided in the relevant section that it is used. However, if you would like to download all of the data used in these computer labs, you can do so here.