teaching statistics using the stata software - repec.org.pptVIP

Teaching Statistics Using Stata Software Susan Hailpern BSN MPH MS Department of Epidemiology and Population Health Albert Einstein College of Medicine Bronx, New York Albert Einstein College of Medicine Clinical Research Training Program Clinical Research Training program (CRTP) began in 1998 Program funded by the NIH under Clinical Research Curriculum Award Program Program Components CRTP is a 2 year program consisting of two complementary components: Didactic curriculum with emphasis on epidemiology, biostatistics, study design, computer methods, and research ethics Mentored experience in clinical research leading to masters thesis Program Description: Program provides future investigators (physicians) with basic and applied knowledge in core disciplines of clinical investigation: Biostatistics Epidemiology Students learn how to design clinical research studies ensure that high ethical standards are met organize study team apply and obtain funding collect, manage and analyze data report results Statistical Software SPSS SPSS has been used since the start of CRTP Pull-down menus were thought to be easy to use and learn Students were easily successful in using SPSS software and obtaining statistical results As students progressed in statistical analyses and clinical research, SPSS was found to be too limited in scope Alternative software was sought Statistical Software STATA (and Stat/Transfer v.7) Stata was taught in the CRTP for first time in Summer ‘04 using Version 8 Stata was chosen because It has an excellent reputation It is easy to use Addition of new pull-down menus (version 8) was attractive feature and was thought to make learning software easier for students Statistical Software STATA (continued) It has substantially wider range of procedures and options than SPSS Multinomial and ordinal logistic regressions Frailty models for multivariate survival analysis (semi-parametric and parametric) Immediate commands Teaching Stata Interesting