Best Biostatistics Podcasts (2025)

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EP 158: Dr Okechinyere Achilonu, Biostatistics as the Backbone of Health Research in Africa 38:01

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22d ago38:01

38:01

Send us a text What happens when passion meets purpose in the world of medical data? Dr. Okechinyere Achilonu takes us through her journey in the evolving landscape of biostatistics in Africa. She reveals how this often-overlooked field serves as the backbone of health research across the continent. Born in Nigeria, Dr Okechi is currently a lecture…

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EP 160: Future Women Innovators, meet the Dream STEM Technovation Summit Winners 30:53

7d ago30:53

30:53

Send us a text When 50 girls from underprivileged communities gathered at the Dream Women in STEM Technovation Summit in Durban, something big happened. In just three days, these young innovators became creators, inventors and problem-solvers who dared to reimagine their worlds and their futures. The summit challenged participants to develop soluti…

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Real-World Evidence vs. Randomized Trials: Can We Emulate Accuracy? 52:00

7d ago52:00

52:00

Key Note of Prof. Sebastian Schneeweiss What You’ll Learn: ✔ The motivation behind emulating randomized trials using real-world data ✔ How claims and EHR data can support regulatory-grade evidence ✔ What makes a trial emulation good vs. suboptimal ✔ The role of adherence, measurement limitations, and data quality ✔ Use cases where RWE could expand …

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HPV Vaccine: How close are we to wiping out cervical cancer? 1:15:57

7d ago1:15:57

1:15:57

Could a preteen vaccine wipe out a global cancer? In this episode, we examine the bold claim that cervical cancer could be eradicated in much of the world by the end of the century—thanks to the highly effective HPV vaccine. We unpack statistical modeling, microsimulations, and how Markov chains make good date-night conversation. We also explore wh…

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EP167 The Social Context of Mental Health with Dr. Jonathan Purtle 34:59

11d ago34:59

34:59

In this episode we speak with Dr. Jonathan Purtle, Associate Professor of Public Health Policy and Management at NYU GPH. Dr. Purtle discusses his career path from teaching second grade to becoming a mental health policy researcher. The episode explores mental health policy, implementation science, and the translation of research into effective pol…

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The Power of Networking 16:32

14d ago16:32

16:32

Discussion with Alun Bedding What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why networking is about curiosity—not small talk ✔ How to set clear intentions for networking at events ✔ The three biggest myths that hold people back from networking (and how to overcome them) ✔ Practical tips for PSI Conference attendees to network with confidence ✔ The real-world value of buildi…

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Asembia AXS25 Series: Reimagining Patient Support: Scaling Access, Affordability and AI Integration with Kelly Carter of Amgen 19:12

18d ago19:12

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In this special edition of the Syneos Health Podcast recorded from the floor of Asembia’s AXS25 Summit, host Michael Sarshad sits down with Kim Plesnarski, SVP of Market Access and Patient Support Services at Syneos Health and Kelly Carter, AVP of Patient Support at Amgen, to unpack the evolving landscape of patient support. The discussion explores…

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Inclusion for All: Rethinking Success, Neurodiversity, and Accessibility in the Workplace 36:46

21d ago36:46

36:46

Featuring Alun Bedding and Emma Crawford Learnings You’ll Gain From This Episode: ✔ Why inclusion is everyone’s responsibility—not just HR’s ✔ The difference between “reasonable adjustments” and “success enablers” ✔ How AI tools can support accessibility and productivity ✔ The hidden challenges behind late diagnoses of neurodivergence ✔ Why leaders…

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Equipment Size: What is average? 54:20

21d ago54:20

54:20

Today’s deep dive: the surprisingly serious science of penis size. Using self-report surveys, objective measurements, and a healthy dose of old-school statistics, we ask: How do you get clean data on gentlemen’s goods?Along the way, we explore social desirability bias, survey design tricks, and what happens when science meets insecurity. You’ll nev…

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Asembia AXS25 Series: Redefining Market Access: Patient Support, Technology and Pharma Strategy with Rob Truckenmiller of PharmaCord 9:43

25d ago9:43

9:43

In this episode of our Navigating Modern Market Access series, recorded from the floor of Asembia's AXS25 Summit, host Sara Rubin sits down with Rob Truckenmiller, the newly appointed CEO of PharmaCord. Drawing from his deep experience across small, mid-sized and large pharmaceutical companies, Rob explores how market access strategies must evolve …

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Asembia AXS25 Series: Holistic Patient Support with Tiara Green of Accessia Health 10:10

1M ago10:10

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In this special episode recorded from the floor at Asembia’s AXS25 Summit, host Michael Sarshad sits down with Tiara Green, President of Accessia Health, to explore the evolving landscape of patient support. They discuss how Accessia Health is addressing the growing needs of individuals with rare and chronic conditions—not just through copay assist…

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Asembia AXS25 Series: Modernizing Patient Services: AI, Hybrid Models and Innovation Strategy with Greg Morris of CareMetx 28:33

1M ago28:33

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In this special edition of the Syneos Health Podcast recorded from the floor of Asembia’s AXS25 Summit, host Michael Sarshad speaks with Kim Plesnarski, SVP of Market Access and Patient Support Services at Syneos Health and Greg Morris, Chief Strategy Officer at CareMetx. They explore the latest trends shaping patient support services—from the surg…

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Daily updated systematic literature reviews - the future of oncology 22:57

1M ago22:57

22:57

Interview with Anna Forsythe Why You Should Listen: ✔ Discover how SLRs are evolving through automation and AI ✔ Learn how real-time data can improve cancer treatment decisions ✔ Understand the balance between innovation and clinical responsibility ✔ Hear about a tool that could change the way guidelines and clinical practice align ✔ Be inspired by…

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Sugar Sag: Is Your Diet Aging You? 1:08:27

1M ago1:08:27

1:08:27

Wrinkles and sagging skin—just normal aging, or can you blame your sweet tooth? We dive into “sugar sag,” exploring how sugar, processed foods, and even your crispy breakfast toast might be making you look older than if you’d said no to chocolate cake and yes to broccoli. Along the way, we encounter statistical adjustment, training and test data se…

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May Root of Science News Roundup 15:11

1M ago15:11

15:11

Send us a text What happens when African scientists tackle our continent's most pressing challenges? The May 2025 edition of our News Roundup, the first release under this segment, majorly focuses on innovation in health. The first is an AI-powered, solar-powered device that diagnoses Malaria and dispenses medicine. We also talk about Ghana's Yamac…

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Project Optimus Series: Clinical Pharmacology and Project Optimus 19:09

1M ago19:09

19:09

We continue our Project Optimus series with a focus on clinical pharmacology—a foundational element in redefining dose optimization in oncology drug development. Dr. Wael Harb is joined by Pierre-Olivier Tremblay, Vice President of Clinical Pharmacology at Syneos Health, to discuss how model-informed strategies, exposure-response analysis and bioma…

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EP 158: The Role of African Podcasters in Science Communication 53:28

1M ago53:28

53:28

Send us a text On this Africa Day podcast, five African science communicators discuss their role in amplifying authentic African research voices. They explore how digital platforms are transforming science communication across the continent. From immunology and plant science to scholarly communication and mentorship platforms, these podcasters shar…

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A novel approach for finding predictive biomarkers 35:39

1M ago35:39

35:39

Interview with Julia Geronimi and Pavel Mozgunov Why You Should Listen: ✔ You’ll learn a new method that’s both statistically sound and easy to implement ✔ You’ll see how to pre-specify your analysis strategy for biomarker evaluation ✔ You’ll understand how to get more value out of small sample sizes ✔ And you’ll come away with a fresh appreciation…

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2025 Health Trends | Strategy, Agility and Innovation in Launch Excellence 22:53

2M ago22:53

22:53

Hosted by Drew Beck, Head of Strategy, Growth and Innovation for Syneos Health Learning Solutions, this limited series dives into the breakthrough trends redefining health in 2025 and beyond. From bold moves in R&D and medical affairs to next-gen trial design, product launch strategies and the future of healthcare communications, each episode conne…

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EP166 Courtrooms to Classrooms: The Intersection of Law and Public Health with Jean Bae 49:24

2M ago49:24

49:24

In this episode we speak with Jean Bae, Clinical Associate Professor of Public Health Policy and Management. She shares her journey from Harvard Law to shaping public health policy, tackling critical issues like the impact of the Hyde Amendment and evidence-based laws on public health outcomes. Jean provides valuable insights on the intersection of…

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A Webinar Recording: Redefining the Role of Statisticians in a World of Real-World Data and AI 51:48

2M ago51:48

51:48

Webinar with Yannis Jemiai, Flaminia Chiesa, and Benjamin Piske ✔ Learn how statisticians can step into leadership roles as data science becomes more strategic. ✔ Understand the impact of AI, real-world evidence, and decentralized trials on clinical trial design. ✔ Hear practical advice for staying relevant in the age of reimagined RCTs. ✔ Get insi…

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Hookworms: Can parasites improve your health? 1:08:00

2M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

What if you could treat your prediabetes with . . . worms? Regina and Kristin dive into a surprising early-phase clinical trial on hookworm therapy—that’s right, intentionally infecting yourself with parasitic worms—to treat metabolic conditions. They dig into the biological rationale (inflammation, abdominal fat, and gut immunology), the clever st…

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RWE and JCA - how do they go together 20:21

2M ago20:21

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Interview with Katrin Kupas What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ What the JCA is and why it changes how we plan evidence generation ✔ When and how RWE can help answer comparator questions in HTA ✔ The risks of non-randomized comparisons—and how to mitigate them ✔ Why we need an integrated evidence plan early in development ✔ How tools like ROBINS-I…

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EP 157: Bongiwe Mtshali, Turning Invasive Plant Species into Renewable Energy 33:20

2M ago33:20

33:20

Send us a text What if the invasive plants ravaging African agriculture could become part of the solution to our energy crisis? In this conversation, researcher Bongiwe Mtshali reveals her innovative work converting problematic alien plant species into valuable renewable energy resources. Support the show Follow the show on: Twitter: @Rootofscipod …

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2025 Health Trends | AI as an R&D Investment 24:09

2M ago24:09

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2025 Health Trends meets The Syneos Health Podcast for a limited series exploring how Trends come alive in the life sciences industry with host Drew Beck, Head of Strategy, Growth and Innovation for Syneos Health Learning Solutions. Syneos Health experts Brian Carver, Executive Director of Therapeutic Strategy and Innovation, Rare Disease Consortiu…

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EP165 Designing Accessible Solutions for Well-being with Spandita Sarmah 42:49

2M ago42:49

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In this episode we explore the link between accessibility and public health with Spandita Sarmah (Tandon '23), a human-centered designer whose experience at Google, T-Mobile, and Deloitte focuses on creating a healthier world for everyone. This episode delves into Spandita's journey from software engineering, fine arts, and graphic design to her pa…

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Asembia AXS25 Series: Navigating Modern Market Access 13:08

2M ago13:08

13:08

The biopharma market is booming—but not without turbulence. In this kickoff episode of our special podcast series in collaboration with Asembia, hosts Michael Sarshad, Managing Director, Commercial Advisory, Syneos Health and Sara Rubin, Senior Vice President, Market Access Strategy at Spherico, a Syneos Health company, unpack the dynamic forces re…

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Why and how you can promote more students become statisticians 29:32

2M ago29:32

29:32

Interview with Emma Crawford and Alex Spiers ✔ Why STEM outreach is so important for the future of our industry ✔ How your company, community, and even your own career can benefit from getting involved ✔ The challenges students face (especially girls and those from underserved areas) in seeing themselves in STEM ✔ How PSI’s Schools Outreach team ca…

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Alcohol: Are happy hours good for your heart? 1:05:31

2M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Does a daily glass of wine really keep the cardiologist away? It’s a claim we’ve all heard: light to moderate drinking is good for your heart. But is it science or just a convenient excuse for happy hour? In this episode, we dive into the history behind this claim, discuss the challenges of observational studies and statistical adjustment, and expl…

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Clarifying confusions around interim, primary, final, and other analyses in clinical trial 31:11

2M ago31:11

31:11

Interview with Kaspar Rufibach What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ The true definitions of interim, final, primary, confirmatory, and updated analyses ✔ Why a “final analysis” doesn’t always mean “last analysis” ✔ How language choice can impact stakeholder trust and regulatory interpretation ✔ The operational vs. statistical meaning of “stopping a…

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Project Optimus Series: The Role of Biostatistics 17:26

2M ago17:26

17:26

As regulatory expectations evolve under the FDA’s Project Optimus oncology dosing initiative, biostatistics is emerging as a central pillar in designing and executing trials that move beyond the traditional maximum tolerated dose (MTD) approach. In this fourth episode of our Project Optimus series, host Dr. Wael Harb is joined by biostatistics expe…

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EP164 Health Equity for Latin and Indigenous Communities with Natalia De La Viña 44:53

2M ago44:53

44:53

In this episode, we speak with Natalia De La Viña, an MPH candidate specializing in global health at NYU GPH, and explore the critical topic of health equity for Latin and Indigenous communities. With a background that uniquely blends neuroscience and Spanish, Natalia shares her journey and her commitment to serving these communities, particularly …

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Reimagining Clinical Trials with Synthetic Data and Digital Twins 22:11

3M ago22:11

22:11

Interview with Holger Fröhlich What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ What synthetic data actually is – and what it isn’t ✔ The benefits and challenges of using synthetic data in clinical research ✔ Real-world use cases, from early dementia diagnosis to trial simulation ✔ How digital twins could help predict patient outcomes ✔ Why synthetic data migh…

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The Red Dress Effect: Are women in red sexier? 1:08:45

3M ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Wear red and drive men wild with lust – or so says scientific research on color’s role in human mating. But can a simple color swap really boost a woman’s hotness score? In this episode, we delve into the evidence behind the Red Dress Effect, from a controversial first study in college men to what the latest research says about who this trick might…

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EP 156: Dr. Rachel Mkandawire, the Woman Agricultural Scientist Reshaping Policy in Africa 37:54

3M ago37:54

37:54

Send us a text In this episode, Dr. Rachel Mkandawire shares her journey from plant pathology to agricultural policy. With degrees in crop science, plant nematology, and a PhD in plant pathology, Rachel brings unique scientific insights to her work at the Food Agriculture Natural Resources Policy Analysis Network (FANRPAN). She explains how her wor…

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Working in an english work environment as a non-native speaker 12:51

3M ago12:51

12:51

Friday Episode with Alexander 🧠 What You’ll Learn: ✔ How I improved my English on the job (despite not having great grades in school) ✔ Why consuming high-quality English content (like podcasts, TED Talks, and books) made a big difference ✔ Tips for writing regularly—even journaling—and using tools like ProWritingAid ✔ How slowing down when speakin…

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R-shiny - how to set it up effectively and avoid common mistakes 26:34

3M ago26:34

26:34

Interview with Daniel Sabanés Bové What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✔ Why interactive visualizations are such a game changer ✔ How R-Shiny makes scenario planning and data exploration easier ✔ What to consider before you even start coding ✔ Common mistakes to avoid with larger Shiny apps ✔ How to structure your code for long-term success and main…

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3 personal stories of how soft skills have helped me as a statistician 18:39

3M ago18:39

18:39

Friday Episode with Alexander Schacht 🧠 What You’ll Learn: ✔ Why I believe “soft skills” is the wrong term—and what we should call them instead ✔ How I built trust in just 15 minutes with someone I'd never met before ✔ The story behind a data visualization that got standing ovations ✔ A negotiation win that shifted how I think about value ✔ How the…

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EP163 Caregiving Innovations for an Aging Population with Rimsha Minhaz and Dr. Wilson Wang 39:00

3M ago39:00

39:00

In this episode, we explore the collaboration between Rimsha Minhaz, an MPH student with a background in dentistry, and Dr. Wilson Wang, a pediatrician, health professional, and founder of WD Home and CEO of World Doctors. Driven by a desire to address disparities in healthcare access—a passion ignited by her experiences in outreach programs in Sou…

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R-packages - best practices and useful tools 20:55

3M ago20:55

20:55

Interview with Daniel Sabanés Bové What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔ Why creating R packages is a game-changer for code reuse and collaboration. ✔ The most common challenges we face when reusing code—and how packages help solve them. ✔ When it actually makes sense to start writing a package (spoiler: earlier than you think). ✔ Useful tools like u…

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Vitamin D Part 2: Good for more than just your bones? 1:09:19

3M ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Can you really sit on your couch, pop vitamin D pills, and shave seconds off your 5k? Touted as a miracle cure-all, vitamin D is claimed to slash cancer and infection risks while boosting mood, cognition, and athletic performance. But does upping your vitamin D really make you healthier and happier? In this episode, we’ll follow the epidemiologic e…

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EP 155: Prof Lee Fairlie, M72 Vaccine Trial in South Africa: A New Era in TB Treatment 34:34

3M ago34:34

34:34

Send us a text Tuberculosis remains one of the deadliest infectious diseases globally, claiming approximately 3,400 lives daily. On this World TB Day episode, We speak with Professor Leigh Fairley, Director of Maternal and Child Health at Wits RHI and Associate Professor at the University of Witwatersrand, about groundbreaking research that could t…

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Delegating programming tasks - how SOPs help and hinder 17:16

3M ago17:16

17:16

By Alexander Schacht and Benjamin Piske, biometricians, statisticians and leaders in the pharma industry

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Project Optimus Series: Operationalizing Dose Optimization 17:55

3M ago17:55

17:55

In this episode of The Syneos Health Podcast, we continue our exploration of Project Optimus and the evolution of dose optimization in oncology drug development. Following our discussion on regulatory expectations in the previous episode, we now turn to the operational challenges and strategies required to implement optimized dosing in real-world s…

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Statistics and Market access - from foes to friends 44:23

3M ago44:23

44:23

Interview with Necdet Gunsoy What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔ Necdet’s Journey ✔ Breaking Down Key Market Access Concepts ✔ The Real Cost of Poor Collaboration ✔ How We Can Work Together More Effectively ✔ Looking Ahead: The Impact of Joint Clinical Assessment (JCA) Why You Should Listen If you work in biostatistics, health economics, or market …

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EP 154: Prof Kennedy Dzama, Rethinking Food Systems to Combat Hunger in Southern Africa 30:39

3M ago30:39

30:39

Send us a text Nearly 19 million children in Southern Africa face stunting, while over 40 million people experience food insecurity annually. What drives these alarming statistics and how can we address them effectively? Professor Kennedy Dzama, who leads the Southern Africa Food Lab at Stellenbosch University, offers profound insights into this cr…

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Beyond logic - how to convince others of your ideas 12:52

3M ago12:52

12:52

Friday Episode with Alexander Schacht What You’ll Learn in This Episode ✔ Why logic alone isn’t enough to persuade others ✔ How emotions play a crucial role in decision-making ✔ The importance of credibility and trust in influencing others ✔ Practical strategies to make your arguments more compelling ✔ How to tailor your message to different audien…

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EP162 Healing Communities and Transforming Systems with Toluwalase Akinluyi 38:37

3M ago38:37

38:37

In this episode we speak with Toluwalase Akinluyi, known as LA, an MPH student studying Public Health Management. We explore her journey from physiotherapy in Nigeria to public health leadership at New York University. LA shares how she transitioned from clinical practice to policy and advocacy, her passion for healthcare management, and the pivota…

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P-value and confidence intervals - the good, the bad, and the ugly 32:31

4M ago32:31

32:31

Interview with Kaspar RufibachIn this episode of The Effective Statistician, I sit down with Kaspar Rufibach to tackle a topic that affects statisticians every day—how to interpret p-values, confidence intervals, and statistical hypotheses. We explore the differences between Fisher’s and Neyman-Pearson’s approaches, clear up common misconceptions, …

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Vitamin D Part 1: Is the Deficiency Epidemic Real? 1:23:09

4M ago1:23:09

1:23:09

Is America really facing an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency? While this claim is widely believed, the story behind it is packed with twists, turns, and some pesky statistical cockroaches. In this episode, we’ll dive into a study on Hawaiian surfers, expose how shifting goalposts can create an epidemic, tackle dueling medical guidelines, and flex o…