SAGI-STH Statistics training workshops for 2023

In 2023 the Biometry Hub will be running another round of statistical workshops for agronomists and researchers - these are practical, interactive workshops, to be offered both online and face to face.

These workshops are intended to foster widespread adoption of efficient and consistent statistical methods in agronomic research and practice to ultimately better inform growers decision-making.

The training program uses a small-group delivery. This builds learning communities by allowing a close communication between participants and trainers. The overall program is structured and designed so participants can start from ground zero, they learn to handle their data via the R software, progress to being able to design and conduct reproducible analyses of standard agronomy trials with simple responses, and finally present a quality report document.

The workshops

The workshops are structured as follows:

Introduction to R (W0) – 1 day

• Covers the basics of R, using R packages, learning how to produce elegant graphics in R.
• You will learn some tips for preparing and managing your research data.
• You will gain confidence to continue learning and exploring R for yourself.

Introduction to Experimental Design (W1) – 1 day

• You will become familiar with the basics of experimental design
• Practice using R and some relevant packages for real world examples.
• You will learn how to estimate the number of samples you will require.
• A better understanding of why your experiment was done the way it was.

Statistical Analysis of Agronomic Experiments (W2) – 2 days

• Covers the basic topics in experimental analysis of agronomic experiments, including ANOVA, Linear Mixed Models, spatial modelling and analysis of factorial experiments, blocked designs, and split-plot agronomic experiments.
• You will learn to identify the correct model to use and perform analyses of data resulting from standard agronomic designs using R and ASReml-R and interpret the results.

Reporting preparation with R: reproducible research (W3) – 1 day

• Introduces RMarkdown and report preparation with R, which brings together a report on the design, analysis and graphical presentation in a consistent, all-in-one and reproducible way. This will greatly improve the efficiency of your reporting.

Shiny for Beginners – 1 day

• Introduces Shiny - a package that allows R users to create interactive and dynamic web-based applications. This workshop will give you the ability to create an interactive application that can be used by people with minimal computing knowledge, along with the skills to continue learning and building more complex Shiny apps.

The details

The workshops planned for this year, their proposed locations and registration details can be accessed via the table below – put them in your calendar now so you don’t miss out.