Læringsutbytte

After completion of the course, students should have the following qualifications regarding knowledge, skills, and general competence:

· General knowledge of study design and data collection

· General knowledge of some important basic statistical methods and models and how to interpret their results

· Knowledge of the requirements and understanding of the limitations of statistical methods

· Ability to use existing literature and theory to critically evaluate analytical procedures used by others

. Ability to use existing literature and theory to design, implement and analyze your own research

· Ability to judge when to use more advanced analytical tools

· Ability to present relevant problems and analyses to specialists and the general public

Innhold

Data processing, statistical models and analyses and their fundamental characteristics will be discussed. Emphasis is placed on the properties of the various models and analytical methods which are relevant to environmental protection issues. Analytical methods and their close relationship to the design of field and experimental studies will be stressed. With this information, the students should be able to validate and precisely define approaches to problems, both methodically and analytically; plan their own studies; choose methods; carry out the collection of appropriate data and execute analyses which are as relevant and precise as possible. Also important will be the students’ ability to understand and evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the methods and analyses employed in their own and other people’s scientific investigations. The exercises will involve the practical use of design and analysis methods.

Arbeids- og læringsformer

The format is a mixture of about 60 hrs lectures/seminars/discussions on methodological topics and practical problem-based workshops using the R package.

The teaching is divided into modules in three separate weeks with intensive all-day coursework in the autumn semester. A day starts with a lecture over one main topic. The lectures will whenever possible seek to be concrete and problem oriented using relevant examples. The follow-up exercises are based on problem-solving of real examples.
It is a must that the students are active during lectures and work with exercises, and also in presenting their own graduate work.

Vurderingsformer

• Written exam, 5 hour, graded mark

Det tas forbehold om mindre justeringer i planen.