Simulation Studies for Evaluating Statistical Models
Date:
12/11/2025
Organised by:
White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership
Presenter:
Dr Andrew Bell and Dr Calum Webb
Level:
Intermediate (some prior knowledge)
Contact:
Andrew Bell - andrew.j.d.bell@sheffield.ac.uk for academic enquiries.
training@wrdtp.ac.uk for questions relating to booking, etc
Venue: Online
Description:
Simulation studies offer a way of judging whether a statistical method works in the way that we think it should under specific circumstances. Even commonly used methods that we think are ‘tried and tested’, actually don’t work in the circumstances that we want to use them. It is therefore essential that we can understand the results of simulation studies, and also run simulations ourselves to ensure that we know how a statistical model should behave in the specific circumstances we want to use them. Simulations also help us to understand what the model we are using is really doing, which is helpful for ensuring the conclusions we are making are really justified.
This course will introduce researchers to the concepts that underlie simulation studies, their uses, and their limitations. It will also provide experience of running simulations in either R or Stata, so users will be able to run their own studies.
Participants should be competent at using either R or Stata, as the exercises will be conducted in these packages. They should have their chosen package installed and ready to use on their computer. Participants should also have a solid understanding of multiple regression models.
The session will run from 10am to 4.30pm. There will be breaks throughout the day, including an extended break for lunch at 1pm.
Outcomes:
Participants in this course will:
- Understand what simulation studies are and what they can show;
- Learn how simulation studies work, and the measures used to judge the results of a simulation study;
- Learn how to use the R software to run simple simulation studies;
- Learn how to produce a range of plots (in R) to visualise the results of simulation studies.
Cost:
Free to PhD students in the UK
Website and registration:
Region:
Yorkshire and Humberside
Keywords:
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Regression Methods, Simulation , R, Stata
Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:
Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Regression Methods
Simulation
R
Stata