Consortium Member Institutions’ faculty and researchers train online on Statistical Analysis workshop
Bicol Consortium for Agriculture, Aquatic and Natural Resources Research and Development (BCAARRD), in partnership with Bicol University (BU) and Philippine Council for Agriculture, Aquatic, and Natural Resources Research and Development (PCAARRD), conducted an online training workshop dubbed “Training on Software-Assisted Statistical Analysis: Basic Statistical Methods Using R,” from November 15 to 17, 2021.
The Software-Assisted Statistics Workshop is designed to assist faculty and researchers of the Consortium Member Institutions (CMIs) from different fields of expertise in navigating through statistical tools especially the R software for data analysis.
The three-day activity was attended by 48 registered participants and 9 non-registered participants from the CMIs of BCAARRD from the Ateneo De Naga University (ADNU), BU, Catanduanes State University (CatSU), Central Bicol State University of Agriculture (CBSUA), Camarines Norte State College (CNSC), Dr. Emilio B. Espinosa, Sr. Memorial State College of Agriculture and Technology (DEBESMSCAT), Partido State University (ParSU), and Sorsogon State University (SSU).
Professor Lysette C. Aguila and Professor Ramoncito G. Cambel from the University of the Philippines Los Baños were the invited resource speakers, with Dr. Lara Paul A. Ebal as the Training Coordinator.
Dr. Marissa N. Estrella, Consortium Director of BCAARRD delivered the opening message followed by the introduction of the participants and resource persons by Professor Joseph Martin Paet, RD Cluster Representative of BU.
The workshop training reviewed the Basic Statistical concepts, hypothesis testing framework and introduction to R software discussed by Professor Aguila. Sample test on population using R was also held, during the first day. More population testing was conducted the following days with active participation from the participants.
Discussion and workshop about Correlation and regression analysis was led by Professor Ramoncito G. Cambel on the last day of the training.
“This training has been challenging but more importantly enriching. The skills we learned in this training can be taught to our students especially since R is free, robust and easily accessible. In the flexible modality of learning, more students can learn about statistics and practice skills,” Francis Xavier Verdadero, ADNU Department of Natural Sciences Chair, said when asked what was his takeaways during the training workshop.
Moreover, BU President Arnulfo M. Mascariñas, mentioned in his closing message that after the workshop, we can now overcome the fear for statistics with the right digital or software tool.
“The way we approach statistics in this digital communication and information age should also be the way we approach any and all forms of technology with an open mind and a willing heart,” he added.
(Roma Joy T. Padre/SRA/BCAARRD)