Survival Analysis (SL_118)
About Study Course
Objective
The objective of this course is to give students the advanced knowledge of the methodology of the analysis of time to event data that occurs very frequently in the biomedical research (clinical trials, cohort studies). The aim is to provide students with the tools and most common methods used for such data, as well as a brief overview of more advanced and modern topics. The course will have a strong applied focus, although some details of the mathematical background and justification of the methodology will be provided as well.
The software package R will be used for computer practical classes, where several real datasets will be analysed, so that the students would become confident in using the methodology for practical data analysis tasks.
Prerequisites
• Familiarity with probability theory and mathematical statistics.
• Basic knowledge in R software.
• Basic knowledge of linear models and statistical estimation techniques (maximum likelihood).
Learning outcomes
On successful course completion students will recognize with the range of statistical analysis methodology available for time to event data. Students will have gained extensive knowledge on the classical methods, such as the Kaplan-Meier estimator and the Cox Proportional Hazards Model survival data, but they will also be aware of and understand more advanced topics: knowing in which situations they would need non-standard methods and what are the resources available to conduct the analysis.
• The students will be able to independently handle most common forms of survival data, doing the necessary conversions between date formats and using graphical visualization tools of the survival distributions.
• Ability to fit Cox proportional hazards models, being aware of underlying assumptions and using appropriate tools for model diagnostics.
• The students will also have skills to communicate the results and present them in a format that is appropriate for scientific presentations and publications.
• After successful acquisition of the course, the student will be competent to select and critically read the scientific publications, which uses the methodology for survival analysis, as well as establish conclusions, gather scientific evidence.
• The students will be able to plan data analysis for a follow-up study, using the methodology of survival analysis.
• The students will propose a range of potential extensions of the standard methodology (competing risks, frailty models) and are able to work with available literature resources to develop a plan that satisfies their analysis needs.
Study course planning
| Study programme | Study semester | Program level | Study course category | Lecturers | Schedule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biostatistics, MFBS | 3 | Master’s | Required | Māris Munkevics, Krista Fisher |
