Training activity information
Details
Plan the statistical analysis of data to answer a research or operational question relating to healthcare using appropriate methods
Type
Developmental training activity (DTA)
Evidence requirements
Evidence the activity has been undertaken by the trainee.
Reflection on the activity at one or more time points after the event including learning from the activity and/or areas of the trainees practice for development.
An action plan to implement learning and/or to address skills or knowledge gaps identified.
Considerations
- Relationship between the question and the analysis
- Appropriate statistical methods
- Data handling rules
- Limitations of data
Reflective practice guidance
The guidance below is provided to support reflection at different time points, providing you with questions to aid you to reflect for this training activity. They are provided for guidance and should not be considered as a mandatory checklist. Trainees should not be expected to provide answers to each of the guidance questions listed.
Before action
- What is the research or operational question? What type of data is available? What statistical methods are potentially appropriate for this question and data? What are the assumptions of these methods?
- What will you learn about selecting the most suitable statistical analysis for a given question? How will you justify your choice of method?
- How do the characteristics of the dataset affect your choice of statistical method?
- How do you feel about planning this statistical analysis? Are you confident in your understanding of statistical principles?
- What resources could you use to improve your understanding of statistical principles and methods?
In action
- What statistical methods are you currently considering for your analysis plan? How are you matching the chosen methods to the specific research or operational question and the type of data available? What steps are you outlining for the analysis process? What justifications are you developing for your methodological choices?
- Are you finding it easy to identify suitable statistical methods? Are there multiple potential approaches you are weighing? What are you learning about the strengths and weaknesses of different analytical techniques in relation to your question? How does this planning connect with your understanding of statistical principles?
- If you realise a particular statistical method is not appropriate for the data, are you exploring alternatives? Are you adjusting the planned steps of the analysis based on a deeper understanding of the data or the research question? Are you consulting resources or colleagues to ensure the soundness of your plan?
On action
- What was the research or operational question you aimed to answer? What statistical methods did you select for your analysis plan? What were the key steps you outlined in your plan? What was your rationale for choosing these particular methods?
- What did you learn about the process of selecting appropriate statistical methods for different types of questions and data? Did you encounter any challenges in aligning your chosen methods with the research question? How did your real-time considerations influence your choice of analytical techniques? How does this planning relate to the principles of statistical inference and study design in healthcare? What are the critical factors for ensuring a statistical analysis is both appropriate and defensible?
- How will you approach planning statistical analyses in the future? What specific statistical methods or study designs do you want to explore further? What resources or statistical software might be helpful? What are your next steps to enhance your skills in statistical analysis planning?
Beyond action
- Given your subsequent learning in statistical methods and research design, how would you evaluate the appropriateness of the methods you initially planned? Have you planned other statistical analyses since this training activity? How has your approach to selecting methods evolved? Did discussions with peers or supervisors provide alternative analytical approaches you might consider now? Review your reflect-on-action notes. Has your understanding of the research or operational question and suitable statistical methods deepened?
- Has this planning exercise improved your ability to critically evaluate the statistical methods used in research papers or reports you encounter? How has it contributed to your understanding of the importance of aligning analytical methods with the research question and data characteristics? Has this training activity enhanced your ability to formulate sound research questions that can be addressed through statistical analysis? Has it influenced how you consider potential biases or confounding factors when planning an analysis?
- What analytical and logical reasoning skills did you develop through this training activity that will be essential for future data analysis tasks? What specific statistical techniques or software packages do you aim to learn more about to broaden your analytical toolkit? How will your ability to plan appropriate statistical analyses contribute to your future role in generating evidence-based insights from healthcare data?
Relevant learning outcomes
| # | Outcome |
|---|---|
| # 3 |
Outcome
Plan and execute the statistical analysis of data to answer questions relating to healthcare using appropriate methods with a clear and defensible rationale. |