**Apologies for cross posting**

Course: Introduction to graphical models and Bayesian networks for
social scientists

***15-16 October 2009***

Roger Bannister Lecture Theatre, St Mary's Campus, Imperial College,
London

This 1.5 day course has two components. Day 1 covers the basics of
graphical models, also known as causal diagrams, focusing on directed
acyclic graphs. Day 2 is a half-day introduction to Bayesian networks
and expert systems with Hugin software which used graphical models to
inform decision making processes.

The lecturers are Dr Sara Geneletti of the Imperial College department
of Epidemiology and Public Health and the BIAS II project funded by the
National Centre for Research Methods, and Dr Gianluca Baio of University
College London department of Epidemiology and Public Health.

Day 1: Diagrams are often used to express belief about the relationships
between variables in complex problems. By formulating such diagrams as
graphical models and in particular directed acyclic graphs (DAGs) it is
possible to formalise these diagrams and use them for statistical and
causal inference. Also, by representing complex problems using DAGs it
is possible to build a bridge between researchers in different fields.

Day 2: We cover the basics of Bayesian inference, with specific
reference to social sciences and its relationships and possible
applications with the technology of Probabilistic Expert Systems
(Bayesian Networks). The main general issues are discussed in a tutorial
form with worked examples in Hugin, one of the main computer softwares
used in the field.

This course is aimed at introducing graphical modelling concepts to
social scientists with a basic understanding of statistical methods
(e.g. hypothesis testing, regression).
Tentative schedule:
        Day 1:
        10:30-11:00 Registration + Coffee
        11:00-12:30 Lecture: Basic definitions
        12:30-13:15 Lunch
        13:15-14:45 Lecture: Drawing DAGs
        14:45-15:00 Coffee break
        15:00-16:15 Lecture: Confounding and other bias
        16:15-17:00 Lecture: Overview of software and discussion
        Day 2:
        9.30-10.30 Lecture: Introduction to Bayesian inference and the
use of Probabilistic Expert Systems
        10.30-11.00 Coffee Break
        11.00-12.00 Exercise/Tutorial with examples in Hugin
        12.00-12.30 Conclusions/Discussion


  *) Booking and course fees:

  * £25 per day for postgraduate students registered at UK academic
institutions
  * £50 per day for staff at UK academic institutions, ESRC funded
researchers
and registered charity organisations
  * £195 per day for all other participants

  This includes the course materials, refreshment and lunch.


REGISTER: register and pay at the following website. Please note that if
you do not pay, you are not registered.


https://www5.imperial.ac.uk/medicine/coursebookings/intrographmodbayesiannetwork_0910.html

How to get to the Department of Epidemiology & Public Health

http://www.streetmap.co.uk/map.srf?x=526841&y=181421&z=106&sv=526841,181421&st=4&ar=y&mapp=map.srf&searchp=ids.srf&dn=860&ax=526841&ay=181421&lm=0


By Car
St Mary's is situated outside of the congestion charge zone but please
note that there are no College parking spaces available.

By Underground/Rail
Paddington tube stations (Bakerloo, District, Circle and
Hammersmith/City line) are two minutes walk from St Marys Campus
Paddington Railway Station is also a two minute walk away.

By Bus
Buses 7, 15, 23, 27 and 36 stop directly outside St Mary's campus.

-- 
Dr Sara Geneletti
Lecturer in Statistics
London School of Economics
Houghton Street 
London, WC2A 2AE, UK 
Tel: +442079557664
Fax: +44 (0)20 7955 7416
email:[log in to unmask]



-- 
Dr Sara Geneletti
Lecturer in Statistics
London School of Economics
Houghton Street 
London, WC2A 2AE, UK 
Tel: +442079557664
Fax: +44 (0)20 7955 7416
email:[log in to unmask]



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