Overview

This is an online course comprising live lectures delivered across two mornings. The course is specifically designed for individuals involved in design and conduct of clinical trials with little or no previous statistical training. The course introduces the different types of data which can be collected in a clinical trial, simple methods of summarising and presenting these data, common statistical tests and what their results mean, information on how to calculate the number of participants needed in a clinical trial, and discussions on how results can be interpreted. Mathematical formulae are kept to a minimum. 

Into to Stats Programme 2026

Outcomes 

By the end of the course, delegates will be able to: 

  • Describe the various types of data and how they are summarised using appropriate displays, tabulations and summaries 

  • Interpret confidence intervals and p-values   

  • Recognise and describe some methods of comparing continuous, categorical, and time-to-event outcomes between treatment groups 

  • Identify the information required to perform a basic sample size calculation  

  • Describe and interpret simple analyses 

 

Is this course for you? 

The course is designed for anyone who requires an understanding of the basic concepts of statistical analyses in clinical trials. The training is intended to introduce non-statisticians working in clinical research to statistical methods and to help them understand and interpret data, reports and publications for clinical trials. Experience or knowledge of clinical trials would be beneficial, though not essential.  

 

The following topics are covered over the duration of the course: 

  • Introduction to quantitative research and types of data 

  • Summarising and displaying data 

  • Hypothesis testing and p-values 

  • Confidence intervals 

  • Statistical methods for comparing two groups (for continuous, binary and time-to-event data)  

  • Sample size estimation 

  • Application of statistical methods for analyses of clinical trials and interpretation of results 

The majority of examples used in the course are based on randomised controlled trials, but the concepts can be readily applied to other study designs. 

 

 Course tutors

All sessions on the course will be led by experienced medical statisticians from Nottingham Clinical Trials Unit. 
 

Cost 

Costed at the NCTU standard rate for 1 day online course.

Early Bird rate : £100 (available until 31st May 2026) 

Standard rate :  £125 (available from 1st June 2026) 

 

What does this course include 

The course will consist of live online tutor-led sessions over the two mornings. Electronic (pdf) copies of presentations will be provided. 
 

 How do I book? 

Please visit the booking page.  Upon registration you will receive an automated response confirming your place. The course administrator will be in touch via email a few weeks before the course start date, detailing the course programme and further details eg how to find the venue etc.  Please direct any queries to ctu@nottingham.ac.uk 
 
Terms and Conditions

In the event that you need to cancel your booking we ask that you give as much notice as possible.  Participants cancelling more than two weeks before the start of the course will be eligible for a full refund, after that time you will be charged the full course fee.  In the unlikely event that the short course has to be cancelled, our liability is limited to course fees only.  If you need to cancel, please email your request to ctu@nottingham.ac.uk 

For further information please contact ctu@nottingham.ac.uk or 0115 8231600 

 

 

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