GeroStats student pathway
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One sensible path through a student project.
Each step produces something useful for the next. Begin at step one unless your project is already further along.
- 01 · DefineShape the questionOne focused, answerable brief.
- 02 · FindSearch for evidenceA documented, proportionate search.
- 03 · AppraiseJudge each useful paperWhat the study can and cannot support.
- 04 · SaveBuild the libraryVerified sources and useful reading notes.
- 05 · UnderstandConnect study to dataDesign, variables, bias and confounding.
- 06 · AnalysePractise the workflowDescription, comparison and modelling.
- 07 · InterpretRead estimates carefullyMagnitude, direction and uncertainty.
- 08 · CommunicateWrite and reviseOne traceable argument from question to claim.
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The full collection · 21 guides and companions
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Plan and manage the project
Question → evidence → writing
- Start with the questionShape a topic into a focused, answerable brief.
- Find evidence without drowning in itPlan, run, refine and record a proportionate search.
- Read and appraise a research paperMap the study, judge the results and record what the evidence can support.
- Save sources as you readBuild and maintain a reliable EndNote or Zotero library.
- Dissertation & project guidanceConnect the question, evidence, method, analysis and written argument.
- Weekly supervision checkpointBring evidence and decisions; leave with clear next actions.
Understand and work with study data
Design, data and worked practice
- Survey Methods HandbookDesign a survey: choose a mode, develop and test questions, plan sampling, and use digital, AI-assisted or web data responsibly.
- How a medical study becomes dataLearn populations, designs, variables, missingness, bias and confounding.
- Estimates & confidence intervalsRead magnitude, direction and precision before a p-value.
- Choosing covariatesUse timing and causal roles rather than bivariate p-values.
- Jennifer’s fictional cohort coursePractise description, comparison, regression, confounding and reporting in one linked course.
- Newcastle 85+ Study data accessLearn how students can request access to governed real study data.
Understand statistical inference
Hypotheses, errors and p-values
- Hypotheses in medical researchKnow when H₀ and H₁ are useful, and when they are not.
- Type I & Type II errorsLearn false alarms, missed detections and power through the wolf story.
- Multiple testing & error controlSee why families of tests need a planned interpretation.
- Where a p-value comes fromFollow data to a test statistic and null reference distribution.
- What a p-value meansInterpret one limited measure of compatibility without overclaiming.
Analyse with software