Robust Methods in Biostatistics

Robust statistics is an extension of classical statistics that specifically takes into account the concept that the underlying models used to describe data are only approximate. Its basic philosophy is to produce statistical procedures which are stable when the data do not exactly match the postulated models as it is the case for example with outliers.

Robust Methods in Biostatistics proposes robust alternatives to common methods used in statistics in general and in biostatistics in particular and illustrates their use on many biomedical datasets. The methods introduced include robust estimation, testing, model selection, model check and diagnostics. They are developed for the following general classes of models:

• Linear regression
• Generalized linear models
• Linear mixed models
• Marginal longitudinal data models
• Cox survival analysis model

The methods are introduced both at a theoretical and applied level within the framework of each general class of models, with a particular emphasis put on practical data analysis. This book is of particular use for research students, applied statisticians and practitioners in the health field interested in more stable statistical techniques. An accompanying website provides R code for computing all of the methods described, as well as for analyzing all the datasets used in the book.

Dr Stephane Heritier, NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Australia. A senior lecturer in statistics for four years, Dr Heritier also has over a decade of research to her name, and has published numerous articles in a variety of journals.

Dr Eva Cantoni, Department of Econometrics, University of Geneva, Switzerland. Also a senior lecturer in statistics, Dr Cantoni has many years teaching and research experience, and written a number journal articles.

Dr Samuel Copt, NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Australia. Having completed his PhD in 2004, Dr Copt has already spent a year as a lecturer and published six journal articles. He is now a visiting scholar at the University of Sydney.

Professor Maria-Pia Victoria-Feser, HEC Section, University of Geneva, Switzerland. Professor Victoria-Feser has over 10 years of teaching experience and has written many journal articles.