Can you define what a p-value is? Statistical tests (such as $t$-tests) can be carried out automatically by software, but many of us do so while being unsure of the principles behind them. Statistics is built on concepts that are difficult to understand, such as $p$-values, confidence intervals, power and effect sizes. This workshop will explain all of these awkward statistical concepts, and how to use them in planning and writing up your research, to enable you to conduct statistics-based research with increased confidence. The workshop will be presented in a Peer Instruction style, with plenty of time for discussions and interaction, working at a steady pace to fill in gaps and correct misconceptions in participants’ knowledge. Participants are expected to have a basic knowledge of probability but all other concepts will be explained during the workshop. Participants will need a device capable of Internet browsing.

Contact email: neil.c.c.brown@kcl.ac.uk

Neil works as a Research Fellow in Computer Science Education at the Kings Programming Education Tools group in King’s College London, UK. He works on developing various novice programmer environments, including BlueJ, Greenfoot, Stride and Strype. He manages the Blackbox data collection project. He acts as associate editor at the Computer Science Education journal for Registered Reports.