LONGITUDINAL
DATA ANALYSIS
SPRING 2015
|  | 
| Instructor: | Guan-Hua Huang, Ph.D. | 
|  | Office: 423 Joint Education Hall | 
|  | Phone: 03-513-1334 | 
|  | Email: ghuang@stat.nctu.edu.tw | 
| Class meetings: | Thursday 9:00-12:00 at 406 Joint Education Hall | 
| Office hours: | By
  appointment | 
| Class website: | |
| Credit: | Three (3) credits | 
Longitudinal data consist of multiple measures over
time on an individual. This type of data occurs extensively in both
observational and experimental biomedical studies, as well as in studies in
sociology and applied economics. This course will provide an introduction to
the principals and methods for the analysis of longitudinal data. While some theoretical statistical detail is given (at the level of
appropriate for a Master’s student in Statistics), the primary focus will be on
data analysis and interpretation.
The objects of his course are
   To identify features of longitudinal data and explain the roles of
longitudinal data in studying real data phenomenon.
   To use a generalized linear model to make inferences about the
relationship between responses and explanatory variables while accounting for
the correlation among repeated responses for an individual.
   To use marginal, random effects, or transition models for longitudinal
data when the repeated observations are binary, count, or Gaussian/non-Gaussian
continuous.
   To familiarize the usage of statistical software implementing these longitudinal
data analytic methodologies.
   To provide references for your future research.
Handouts corresponding to each lecture
will be available on the class website before each class. Reading assignments are from the following two books:
  
Diggle PJ, Heagerty P, Liang KY and Zeger SL (2002). Analysis
of Longitudinal Data, 2nd edition. Oxford University Press. 
  
McCullagh P and Nelder JA (1989). Generalized
Linear Models, 2nd edition. Chapman and Hall.
Students
are expected to have background on undergraduate probability, and mathematical
statistics. Some knowledge on (generalized) linear regression will be helpful.
The course grade will be based on 4 homework assignments (50%), 1 midterm exam (20%), and 1 final exam (30%). 
COURSE OUTLINE 
Diggle PJ, Heagerty P, Liang KY and Zeger SL (2002). Analysis of Longitudinal Data, 2nd
edition. (Diggle et al.).
McCullagh P and Nelder JA (1989). Generalized Linear Models, 2nd
edition. (McCullagh & Nelder)
| Module | Topic  |  | 
| 1 | Review  
  Likelihood function  
  Exponential family |  | 
| 2 | Generalized
  linear models (GLM) for independent data  
  The origins of GLM  
  Systematic and random components of GLM  
  Some statistical properties of GLM  
  Linear regression  
  Logistic regression  
  Poisson regression | McCullagh
  & Nelder  Chapters
  2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 | 
| 3 | Introduction
  and examples | Diggle et
  al.  Chapter 1 | 
| 4 | Exploring
  longitudinal data | Diggle et
  al.  Chapter 3 | 
| 5 | Linear modes
  for longitudinal data | Diggle et
  al.  Chapter 4 | 
| 6 | Parametric
  models for covariance structure  
  Parametric models for covariance structure  
  Analysis of variance methods | Diggle et
  al.  Chapters 5,
  and 6 | 
| 7 | GLM for
  longitudinal data  
  Marginal models  
  Random effects models  
  Transition models  | Diggle et
  al.  Chapters 7, 8, 9, and 10 |