Research Theme

Biostatistics

The Biostatistics Team provide statistical support across many research themes of the Menzies Research Institute, which contributes significantly to Menzies' growing research productivity.

The biostatistics team provides support in the areas of:

• advice on study design, sample size, and statistical methods;
• training in the use of statistical methodology;
• advice and assistance with data management;
• advice and assistance with data analysis;
• developing new statistical methodology;
• analysis and interpretation of data;
• report writing; and
• contributing to preparation of manuscripts for publication.

Contributions to statistical methodology

A notable achievement by the team in 2006 was a published contribution in statistical methodology for relative risk estimation. In the language of epidemiology, the relative risk is a measure of the effect of exposure to a disease-causing agent. We explored factors determining the ability of currently available software to successfully fit a relative risk model. We compared its estimates with those from alternative methods, trialled three tests for determining how well the model fitted the data, and illustrated the use of diagnostic statistics to assess outlying, poorly-fit and influential data values. Work also continued on a method for analysing dense sets of genotyping data from large families.

For more information, contact:

 

Associate Professor Leigh Blizzard

Senior Biostatistician

Telephone: (03) 6226 7719