Understanding Statistics & Experimental Design

This lecture covers the importance of understanding statistics in various fields due to the prevalence of bad science and misconceptions, emphasizing the need for critical analysis and proper experimental design. Motivating examples highlight the consequences of statistical errors in research, such as reproducibility issues in psychological studies and challenges in preclinical cancer research. The instructor stresses the impact of statistics on public health, scientific integrity, and everyday decision-making. Topics include basic probability theory, signal detection theory, ANOVA, correlations, and meta-statistics. Practical exercises and discussions enhance students' comprehension of statistical concepts and their application in real-world scenarios.