Workshop Description:

Strategies for Analyzing Large, Secondary Data Sets

This workshop is designed to introduce researchers to the use of large, secondary data sets in health-related studies. We will examine standard data sets (e.g., NV CHIA) as well as national data sets that require weighting and advance methodologies (e.g., BRFSS). We will discuss strategies for selecting appropriate data sets, for finding estimates of desired quantities, how to utilize sample weights for determining estimates, and how to reduce large data sets to understand certain health conditions of interest.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand how to find and select secondary data sets for research
2. Describe sample weights and how they are used to obtain parameter estimates
3. Understand how to use basic programming to reduce large data sets to desired records
4. Utilize computer programs to assist in the analysis of large data sets

Featured Speakers:

Dr. Chad L. Cross is an accomplished, results-driven, and experienced professional who has extensive experience working in highly complex medical, research, and technical scientific environments. He is a faculty member in the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics. He is trained as a multidisciplinary scientist and holds advanced degrees in statistics, the life sciences, and the social sciences. He has expert knowledge, skills, and abilities in research, complex quantitative analysis, leadership, grantsmanship, and policy development.   As a professional scientist, he has worked in academia, in the federal government, in private industry, and as a professional consultant.  His research consistently involves working with multidisciplinary research teams to bring analytical expertise to novel and interesting research questions. He applies his quantitative work broadly in medicine, biology, and STEM applications. He has particular expertise in quantitative ecology, applied biostatistics, disease ecology/epidemiology, and the ecology and epidemiology of parasites and vector-borne diseases. In addition to these research areas, he teaches several advanced courses in biostatistics, epidemiology, parasitology, and vector biology. He also provides epidemiological and biostatistics research support for several grant-funded projects.