Report of a training course on experimental data and analysis, Tamale, Ghana, 16‐27 July 2012

Abstract

Wisconsin International University College was mandated to organise the course through its core biometric staff in the Mathematics Applications Unit of the School of Business. A formal agreement was signed between Wisconsin and IITA.

The planning process for the special course on Experimental Design and Data Analysis began early 2012 as part of the initiatives of coordinating office of the Africa RISING project. After several shifts in dates, the course was finally scheduled for the period 16th to 27th July 2012 in Tamale at the Bigiza Court Hotel as a residential course. The course participants were to be drawn from various institutes of the CSIR that have major role to play in the Africa RISING IITA‐coordinated project. The ultimate aim was to improve on the capacity in generating and analysing experimental data. Additionally, it aimed at participants’ ability to:

• Identify various types of scientific data and their collection procedures • Perform routine and advanced data screening and outlier checks • Explore various data types and perform appropriate statistical analysis

Invitations were sent out from Africa RISING to CSIR institutes to forward nominations of individuals that met the following criteria: • Must be researchers working within the national agricultural research programmes or must be involved with agricultural data collection and dissemination services • Must have a minimum of BSc in agriculture or related science (including statistics) and engaged in agricultural research • Must be conversant with the use of computers

Sixteen participants, including one observer, were selected from among a large number of applicants. The only female selected participant had to be withdrawn due to ill‐health. Most participants were of mixed age and experience, with some at the initial stages of their career in research.