[afro-nets] Data Analysis Training Course

["Zivai Chigwedere" <zchigwedere@sahart.co.za>]

Data Analysis Training Course
-----------------------------
 
30 July - 3 August 2007
Johannesburg, South Africa

The University of the Witwatersrand?s Faculty of Health Sciences, is dedicated to build research capacity in South Africa and the African region.  The Faculty is inviting applications for enrolment in a Data Analysis Training Course.   


The data analysis training course (DATC) is designed to equip academics, researchers and postgraduate students with basic concepts of statistics, how to present and process data as a component of health sciences research; how to plan research such 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

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
?	Planning data collection to avoid problems
?	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 Statistica, SAS,  SPSS 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 regression
?	Data presentation & writing peer reviewed scientific papers
?	Site visits to selected research entities and discussion with researchers on how they manage and analyse their data sets
?	Networking with other academics, researchers and postgraduate students

DATES:   The dates for the course are 30 July - 3 August, 2007 

FEES: The course fees are R5 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 participants with demonstrated previous experience in protocol design and preferably have existing data sets that they intend to learn to analyse. The participants also need to have gone through our Research Methodology Training Course.  Participants are required to bring own laptops to undertake assignments given after hours. In addition, participants are required 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. The final programme will be based on the needs of the participants who 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 group activities, such as presentations, discussions and critical appraisals.
?	Evaluation of the course content and presentation by each student
?	Oral appraisal of students by a panel of supervisors not directly involved in the teaching of the DATC.
?	Students who complete all modules are eligible to receive a Certificate of Competence of the University of the Witwatersrand.
.
LIMITED FELLOWSHIPS: A limited number of Fellowships is available through the Belgian Technical Cooperation (BTC) to attend the course.  The research protocol needs to be in the field of HIV and AIDS, Tuberculosis or Malaria to qualify for a Belgian Technical Cooperation fellowship.

CLOSING DATES:   The closing date for applying for this course is 20 April 2007

Apply directly, preferably by fax or e-mail, with a short description of your proposed area of research to:
Ms Zivai Chigwedere
Tel: +27 11-717-2127
Fax: +27 11-717-2119
Email: matsie.sibeko@wits.ac.za