MSCI 667 - Got Data, Now What? Inference, Experimental Design, and Data Analysis

Spring, odd years (2-3) Lipcius; Prereq/Corequisite(s): MSCI 504

This course is aimed at students who have data from lab experiments, field surveys, or field experiments, and who are in the process of evaluating their experimental designs and analyzing their data. It is expected that students come with either potential or actual experimental designs for their research, and real data sets from their research to be analyzed during the course. The course will include (i) examination of scientific modes of inference, including classical/frequentist, Bayesian, and Information Theory (IT), with emphasis on IT; (ii) review of basic concepts of experimental design; (iii) evaluation of each student’s experimental design; and (iv) conduct of statistical analyses suited to the students’ research, such as survey design, ANOVA, linear/nonlinear regression, and GLMs/GAMs. Analyses will be conducted in R. (Lecture and laboratory)