Introduction to Statistics

Requirements:

Basic skills in programming with R (can be achieved in the course Introduction to R).

Course overview:

“Introduction to Statistics” is a foundational course in statistical analysis for scientists and practitioners. This introductory course combines an overview of basic statistical methods with their application in the statistical software R. This course covers descriptive statistics, classical statistical tests, and linear regression and its extensions. All methods are explained in an applied setting. By the end of the course, you will be able to identify appropriate statistical methods, apply them, and interpret your results.

This course does not require any previous knowledge of statistics.

Topics:

The course covers basic statistical methods

• Descriptive statistics
  • Levels of variables
  • Measures of tendency and variability (mean, median, variance, …)
  • Classical statistical graphics and when to apply them (histogram, boxplots, violin plots, …)
• Random variables
  • Distribution of random variables
  • Characteristics of distributions
  • Confidence intervals
• Hypothesis testing
  • How to apply tests
  • Classical statistical test (t-test, Wilcoxon-test, ANOVA, ...)
  • When to apply which test
  • Multiple testing and corrections
• Linear regression
  • Idea of linear regression
  • How to apply and interpret linear models
  • Limits of linear regression
• The focus in all chapters is to understand when to apply which method, how to run them in R and how to interpret the output. Also, limitations and extensions of the methods are discussed.

This is no introductory programming course. Basic programming skills in R are a prerequisite of this course and can be achieved with the course Introduction to R.

Methods:

• Each day consists of blocks covering first the statistical theory behind the methods and their application in R, and then hands-on examples with best-practice solutions.

Format:

• Duration: 4 Days
• Language: English
• This course will be offered either on campus (in person), or online.
• For online courses we use the software Zoom.

Dates and Application:

• Courses provided for Helmholtz Munich:
  • You can check the current dates and whether the courses are already fully booked here*. The course registration will usually open 8 weeks prior to the course.
  • Please read the corresponding FAQ* before applying via the forms of the HR Development department*.
  • NEWS: As long as the internal registration homepage CaMS is not working, please contact Elmar Spiegel for registrations.
• Courses provided for HIDA:
  • You can check the current dates and whether the courses are already fully booked here.
  • Registrations for these courses are exclusively possible via the provided homepage.

 * Links marked with * are only available for Helmholtz Munich staff.