Statistics

Statistics includes a set of techniques and methods that are based on mathematics and that rely heavily on computer tools for their implementation. These different methods make it possible to collect data, to describe them, to model and to explain their evolution or their variability in order to inform or to help in decision-making.

The Statistics Department is a common department for the 3 teams of the unit. It is positioned at the interface of the various fields of research and takes part in all the problems of the unit in close collaboration with researchers, students and health professionals.

Its main missions are :

  • To organize the data processing chain, from collection to statistical analysis, using the most appropriate computer and statistical tools for the context of the study, thus ensuring the quality and relevance of the results obtained
  • To provide expertise in the use of statistical methods and computer tools in the context of research projects and to contribute to the valorization of the unit's scientific production
  • To accompany, advise and train researchers, PhD students and Master students in statistical methods and software
  • Participate in the writing of scientific publications, university or professional thesis manuscripts, research projects, protocols, requests for advice from the Ethics Committee
  • To participate in teaching within the framework of the Master in Medical Humanities.

Types of data

The Statistics Department ensures the statistical analysis of numerous databases from various sources: survey data, osteo-archaeological collections, historical archives, medical imaging, etc.

In order to propose adapted statistical treatments in an interdisciplinary UMR, the Statistics Department must take into account the specificity of the fields of study, the plurality of approaches, the diversity of the data sets (very small or very large).

Statistical methods and tools

Main statistical techniques and methods used:

  • Univariate and bivariate descriptive statistics
  • Parametric and non-parametric tests for independent and matched data
  • Multivariate data analysis methods: Principal Component Analysis, Multiple Correspondence Analysis, Multiple Factor Analysis
  • Linear and logistic regression models (binomial and multinomial)
  • Estimation techniques for repeated or hierarchical data
  • Discriminant analysis
  • Classification methods

The statistical software used is mainly SAS and R.

The Statistics Department develops computer programs, macros and interactive applications to answer specific problems or needs.

Collaborations

The Statistics Department collaborates with statisticians, researchers or health professionals from other research laboratories (UMR 7269, UMS 2700, UMR 912, ORS PACA, UMR T24, UMR 8045) but also with the French Association of Gluten Intolerants (AFDIAG) and the Institute of Osteopathy Training of Greater Avignon (IFO-GA)
Teaching

The person in charge of the Statistics Department participates in the teaching of the Master's degree in Medical Humanities:

  • She teaches the lecture and directed course " Statistics for qualitative data " of the module " Biostatistics in Health ".
  • She is involved in group workshops of the course Ethical, deontological and anthropological approaches to health related to a quantitative approach:
    • design a survey and develop a questionnaire with LimeSurvey
    • Statistical analysis of data
    • become familiar with the R tool.

Issues Involved

Many of the UMR's research projects use statistical tools, such as those aimed at

  • developing new methods for estimating age or sex from the human skeleton,
  • model the determinants of health during aging,
  • exploit biological data from the skeleton to discuss certain practices,
  • study the associations between health and lifestyle, with a focus on the issues of dependence of the elderly
  • analyze the ethical issues of emergency care in dentistry or dental care in children with psychological or cognitive disorders
  • evaluate the influence of dental prosthetic rehabilitation on the perceived quality of life of irradiated patients with upper aerodigestive tract cancer.

Other activities

The Statistics Department, through the intermediary of its manager, is also in contact with other statisticians via the RIS (Réseau Interdisciplinaire autour de la Statistique) in which she sits on the steering committee. This network is integrated into the platform of the Networks of the Mission for Transversal and Interdisciplinary Initiatives (MITI) of the CNRS.

Team members