Introduction to Linear Mixed Models in Health Research using Stata (online)

Date:

10/11/2025 - 11/11/2025

Organised by:

Statistical Services Centre Ltd

Presenter:

James Gallagher and Sandro Leidi

Level:

Intermediate (some prior knowledge)

Contact:

James Gallagher
07873873617
jamesgallagher1929@gmail.com

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Venue: Online

Description:

Overview of 2-day course
Mixed modelling is a modern and powerful data analysis tool for modelling clustered data, typically used for modelling data collected in trials where the levels of a factor are considered to be a random selection from a wider pool, or in the presence of a multi-level structure with different levels of variability.  Such models offer potential benefits such as: the ability to cope with modelling complex data structures, greater generalisability of results, accommodation of missing values and the possibility of increasing the precision of treatment comparisons.  In particular, mixed models have been extensively used to analyse repeated measurements where, for example, measurements taken over time in a clinical trial naturally cluster according to patient.  In general, the course will focus on medical and health related applications of mixed modelling.  Specific applications include multi-centre trials and cross-over trials in addition to the analysis of repeated measurements.

The course focuses on the linear mixed model, assuming normally distributed data, and on how to fit linear mixed models and interpret the results for a range of common medical and health related applications. Only essential theoretical aspects of mixed models will be summarised. The Stata software will be used for practical work and to illustrate analyses in presentations.

Cost
£558 (inclusive of 20% VAT)

Delivery Mode
All training is online and will be delivered live each day between 09:00 and 17:30 (GMT+1). Delivery platform: Zoom, which may be freely accessed.  Questions may be asked using Zoom's chat box.  Note we are a team of two presenters, so one of us is always available to provide additional support. We also use Zoom meetings rather than webinars to encourage further interaction during an online course.

Who Should Attend?
Data analysts and statisticians working in medicine, health and related areas, who wish to have a practical introduction to linear mixed models.  It will be assumed that participants are Stata users and are familiar with the practical use of linear models, covering regression models and ANOVA.

How You Will Benefit
The course will give you the skills to formulate, fit and interpret mixed models for a range of practical situations, as well as an appreciation of some of the benefits of mixed modelling.

What Do We Cover

  • Concept of fixed versus random effects

  • Simple random effects and variance components models for modelling clustered data

  • A summary of the important theoretical aspects of mixed models: maximum likelihood versus REML for fitting mixed models, estimating and testing fixed effects, degrees of freedom options and the Kenward-Roger method

  • Model checking

  • Multilevel modelling for hierarchical data structures

  • Multi-centre analyses

  • Mixed models for cross-over designs

  • Repeated measurements analysis: random coefficient and marginal models

  • Practical experience, fitting models and interpreting Stata output

  • Convergence issues

  • Stata's -mixed- command.

Software
Practical work will  be done in Stata, and will be based on the Windows operating system. Note StataCorp will provide Statistical Services Centre Ltd with temporary short term licences, for the current version of Stata. These temporary licences will be made available to course participants prior to the course.

Cost:

£558

Website and registration:

Register for this course

Region:

International

Keywords:

Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis, Multilevel Modelling , Hierarchical models, Mixed models, Random effects, Longitudinal Data Analysis, Linear mixed models, Variance components, Clustered data, Multicentre trials, Cross-over studies, Repeated measures


Related publications and presentations from our eprints archive:

Quantitative Data Handling and Data Analysis
Multilevel Modelling
Hierarchical models
Mixed models
Random effects
Longitudinal Data Analysis

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