Introductory Biostatistics for Biologists

10 &11 April 2025

Dr. Romain-Daniel Gosselin, Independent Lecturer, Data bio

The objective of this workshop is to highlight the systematic and universal nature of the vast majority of statistical flaws and their solutions. The course aims to explain the importance of biostatistics for science reproducibility/reliability and teach good practices.

Content

The lectures are tailored to biologists and concentrating on logic thinking behind biostatistics. Particular emphasis is placed on experimental design, analysis and presentation. The sessions include lectures and a workshop where attendees can apply their newfound skills in critically analysing the statistics in published articles.

Biostatistics: A short (and digestible) introduction to biostatistics; Statistical inference: good understanding of p-values and NHST; Statistical design: power, independence of variables, randomization
Analysis: Selection of statistical tests; Parametric vs. non-parametric tests; Regression and correlation; Multiple comparisons: ANOVA and beyond; Introduction to linear models; Repeated measures; The problems of p-values.
Data presentation and visualization: Graphical display; Error-bars, scatter plots and box plots, violin plots: the dos and don'ts; Which information to disclose?
Hand on workshop & 'consulting' session: Critical analysis of biostatistics of illustrative examples or published articles.

The last afternoon is largely dedicated to common discussion on biostatistical questions and problematics related to students' research projects. Questions will be sent to the teacher some weeks before the course through a form.

Provisional program

Content

The lectures are tailored to biologists and concentrating on logic thinking behind biostatistics. Particular emphasis is placed on experimental design, analysis and presentation. The sessions are organized as discussions about concepts of biostatistics, summarized by a recap summary at the end of each hour. As a parallel support of the discussions, the students will have access to a structured online resource (eBook) that covers all concepts from the lecture. In addition, the lecture will include illustration examples where attendees can apply their newfound skills.

The discussions are strongly guided by the teacher through an overarching thread of topics that cover:

• General introduction to biostatistics, inference, good understanding of p-values and testing, statistical design, power, independence of variables, randomization

• Selection of statistical tests; Parametric vs. non-parametric tests, regression and correlation, multiple comparisons: ANOVA and beyond, introduction to linear models, repeated measures, the problems of p-values

• Graphical display, error(-bars), scatter plots and box plots: the dos and don'ts, which information to disclose?

Hand on workshop & 'consulting' session.

The last afternoon is dedicated to common discussion on biostatistical questions and problematics related to students' research projects. Questions will be sent to the teacher some weeks before the course through a form.

University of Lausanne, Rooms: DAY 1 - Amphimax 414 & DAY 2 Amphipôle 315.1

Room Day 1: AMPHIMAX 414 (map here)

Room Day 2: AMPHIPOLE 315.1 (map here)

This course is organized in collaboration with the CUSO doctoral programs in MPS and StarOmics

Reimbursements for CUSO Students:
Train ticket, 2°class, half-fare from your institution to the place of the activity.

Reimbursement of your travel tickets can be asked online through your MyCUSO

Deadline for registration: 25.03.25

15 places available for CUSO students (5 for each participating program)

For cancellations after the Deadline of registration or no show: 50 CHF administrative fees

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