Description

Modern technologies are able to deliver an unprecedented amount of data rapidly. However, without due care and attention early in the experimental process, such data are meaningless if they cannot adequately answer the intended research question.
This course is aimed at those planning high-throughput experiments and highlights the kinds of questions they should be asking themselves.
The course consists of a lecture and small-group discussions led by a member of the Genomics or Bioinformatics Cores.

Target audience

Graduate students, Postdocs and Staff members from the University of Cambridge, Affiliated Institutions and other external Institutions or individuals

Please be aware that these courses are only free for University of Cambridge students. All other participants e.g. Staff will be charged a registration fee in some form.

Prerequisites

No previous experience required

Sessions

1-day course

Objectives

After this course you should be able to:

  • Identify sources of variability (technical and biological) in your data
  • Identify any potential confounding factors in your experimental setup
  • Prepare for a Experimental Design Meeting between yourself and the Genomics and Bioinformatics Cores

Aims

During this course you will learn about:

  • Why perform experiments?
  • Why think about experimental design?
  • What makes for a well-designed experiment?
  • Aspects of experimental design
  • Experimental variables
  • Power, variance and replicates
  • Bias, confounding factors, randomisation and controls
  • Experimental design types
  • Experimental design at CRUK. C.I.

Format

Presentations and practicals