Online Course
Join a three-day workshop that deepens your understanding of statistical methods through hands-on, group-based case studies in biology, environmental science, and the social sciences. You’ll learn to formulate research questions, design data analyses, and present your findings professionally—while gaining confidence in applying statistics in a collaborative online setting.
Case Studies in Statistics
This three-day online workshop emphasizes collaborative group work on case studies with biological, environmental, or social themes. These case studies are drawn from open-access literature, websites, and textbooks. Through them, participants will learn to formulate clear research questions and develop structured plans for data collection, exploratory analysis, and statistical evaluation. Each group will conclude by delivering a professional presentation to the class.
The workshop covers a broad range of standard statistical methods, including sample size considerations, and aims to improve both the clarity of presentations and participants’ ability to collaborate effectively in a virtual environment.
Workshop Structure
Day 1 – Optional Refresher
The first day offers a concise refresher on core statistical methods from standard textbooks. Participation on this day is optional and not required for certification. Those confident in their knowledge of basic statistics may choose to skip it.
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM CET
Format: Five hours of lecture with a one-hour lunch break around noon and several short breaks throughout the day.
Day 2 – Case Study Work Begins
Participants will be introduced to several case studies. Working in small groups (via breakout rooms), you will discuss the problems, share ideas, and develop analytical approaches. Rules for collaboration will be established. At scheduled intervals, the class will reconvene to share progress and address challenges. The instructor will be available throughout for questions and support.
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM CET
Format: Group work and interactive sessions, totaling five hours, with a one-hour lunch break and several short breaks.
Day 3 – Advanced Case Study Work or Participant Projects
There are two options for the third day:
If participants wish to present their own data, problems, or ideas, we will form new groups to work collaboratively on these.
Alternatively, we will work on a new set of prepared case studies using the same format as Day 2.
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM CET
Format: Group work and interactive sessions, totaling five hours, with a one-hour lunch break and several short breaks.
Additional Information
Preparation for Beginners: Newcomers may attend the free preparatory workshop Describe and Visualize to review basic statistical concepts. All materials from this and from Day 1 will be made available to registered participants.
Certification: Participants who attend at least Days 2 and 3 will receive a certificate of participation.
Class Size: Maximum of 25 participants. Additional registrants will be placed on a waiting list.
Price: €400 per participant.
Dates: To be announced.
Registration Deadlines: To be announced.
Individual Registration: Not yet open.
Group Registration: Not yet open (see below).
Group Registration
Institutions (e.g., universities, graduate schools, companies) may register groups. A group registration reserves a fixed number of places and will be invoiced for the reserved spots after the course. Individual withdrawals before the registration deadline will not be charged.
To register a group, email: angelo.valleriani@appliedstatistics.de
Important Notice for Max Planck Institute Affiliates
Participants affiliated with a Max Planck Institute must register as private individuals. It is not permitted to invoice any Max Planck Institute or the Max Planck Society for this workshop.
Disclaimer
The content, methods, and materials used in this workshop are entirely unrelated to any work conducted by the instructor or others within the Max Planck Society. Any perceived connection is purely coincidental.
