We've written about BIG data before and while some reckon it's sexy, you better roll up your sleeves because you'll invariably need to do a lot of 'janitorial' (a.k.a. shit) work first!
Ron Sandland recently wrote about the new phenomenon of 'big data' - weighing up the benefits and concerns. Terry Speed reflected on the same issue in a talk earlier this year inGothenburg, Sweeden noting that this is nothing new to statisticians. So what's all the fuss about? Here's another take on the 'big data' bandwagon.
NEW!Bayesian Ecotoxicology - click here to download brochure.
Despite more than 20 years of severe criticism, the
No Observed Effect Concentration (NOEC) is the most widely used measure of toxicity in ecotoxicology.
Coupled with the equally problematic concept of a
Species Sensitivity Distribution (SSD), the NOEC is used to determine a 'safe' concentration for toxicants in animals and the receiving environment.
These 'safe' concentrations are used in regulatory contexts as well as underpinning critical design decisions associated with major infrastructure projects such as de-salination plants (see News sidebar "De-Sal dilemma"), off-shore oil rigs, and ocean outfalls.
The core of the criticisms of contemporary ecotoxicological practice focuses on the inadequacies and inappropriate use of classical modes of statistical inference.
This new course is a world first and provides comprehensive instruction and a computer-based learning experience in Bayesian methods for: (i) estimating the No Effect Concentration (NEC); (ii) describing the full uncertainty in the estimated NEC; and (ii) carrying this uncertainty through to the Species Sensitivity Distribution to estimate and place credibility intervals (the Bayesian analog of confidence intervals) on the HCx.
During this 1.5 day course, participants will be provided with:
expert instruction on Bayesian methods in ecotoxicology from Dr. David Fox (an internationally renowned expert in statistical ecotoxicology);
comprehensive course notes;
computer software for performing the Bayesian analyses;
sample data sets.
Please Note: Class sizes are limited to 12 participants and will be run on demand.
Essential Reference:
Fox,
D.R. (2010) "A Bayesian approach for determining the no effect
concentration and hazardous concentration in ecotoxicology",
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 73(2), 123-131.
Cost:$950 per person.
Register your interest now by completing the form below:
