[afro-nets] Data Analysis Training Course

[Tsitsi Mkombe <mkombet@health.health.wits.ac.za>]

Data Analysis Training Course
-----------------------------

14th - 18th August, 2006
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

The University of the Witwatersrand?s Faculty of Health Sci-
ences, is dedicated to build data management and analysis and
scientific publishing capacity in South Africa and the Africa
region. The Faculty is inviting applications for enrollment in
the next Data Analysis Training Course.

The data analysis training course (DATC) is designed to equip
academics, researchers and postgraduate students with skills on
how to present and process data as a component of health sci-
ences research; how to ensure that the data will be suitable for
statistical analysis. Participants will be able to plan more
completely the collection and processing of research data and to
apply more appropriately sophisticated statistical tests in pub-
lishing their scientific work.

COURSE CONTENT:
A selection of the following topics will be covered in the final
programme depending on participants? needs and background:
? Review of selected data sets
? How to deal with problems in collected data
? Types of data ­ continuous, ordered, categorical
? Tabulation and means, standard deviation
? Populations and sampling
? Statements of probability
? Difference between means
? Difference of proportions
? Tests for significance of differences
? Confounding and stratification
? Matched analysis
? Percentages and paired alternatives
? Use of STATA and Epi-Info as statistical tools
? Statistical tests: exact probability test, rank sum tests, Mac
Nemar test, correlation and simple regression
? Advanced data analysis i.e. ANOVA, logistic and multiple re-
gression
? Data presentation & writing peer reviewed scientific papers
? Networking with other academics, researchers and postgraduate
students

DATES: The dates for the course are 14 to 18 August, 2006

FEES:
The course fees are ZAR 5,000.00 per applicant. Please note that
this only covers tuition fees and does not include accommodation
and transport to the course venue.

TEACHING METHODOLOGY:
The Data Analysis Training Course (DATC) is planned for 16 par-
ticipants with demonstrated previous experience in protocol de-
sign (expected to have done Research Methodology Training) and
preferably have existing data sets that they intend to learn to
analyse. Participants are required to bring own laptops to un-
dertake assignments given. In addition, participants will have
to prepare and send their data sets three weeks in advance of
the course to facilitate acquisition of appropriate software and
uploading into the DATC computers. This is a hands on training
course that will be facilitated by experts with experience in
data management and statistical analysis. Participants attending
the course will acquire skills to analyse their data and present
in tabular and/or graphical format as well as apply relevant
statistical analysis for scientific publications. Participants
are expected to take responsibility for their own learning by
doing. There will be minimal didactic teaching.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES:
? Each student will be expected to contribute effectively to
class presentations, discussions and critical appraisals.
? Clean own dataset and apply appropriate statistical tests.
? Present a preliminary scientific article in plenary containing
tabular and graphical data indicating the statistical tests
used.
? Students who complete all modules are eligible to receive a
Certificate of Attendance of the University of the Witwaters-
rand.
?
LIMITED FELLOWSHIPS:
A limited number of Fellowships are available through the Bel-
gian Technical Cooperation (BTC) to attend the course. The re-
search protocol needs to be in the field of HIV and AIDS, Tuber-
culosis or Malaria to qualify for a Belgian Technical Coopera-
tion fellowship.

CLOSING DATES:
The closing date for applying for this course is May 30, 2006.

Apply directly, preferably by fax or e-mail, with a short de-
scription of your proposed area of research to:
Ms Tsitsi Mkombe
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Faculty of Health Sciences
Tel: +27-11-717-2128
Fax: +27-11-717-2119
mailto:mkombet@health.health.wits.ac.za


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APPLICATION FORM

Please fill this form and return it with a one page motivation
for wanting to participate in the course

I would like to apply for a place in the Data Analysis Training
Course 14 -18 August, 2006

Title: Miss/Mrs./Mr./Dr/Prof

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Self-Funded:

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Requesting Sponsorship:  Yes [ ]     No [ ]