AIHce Indianapolis

Evaluations

Education

PDC 101
Bayesian Statistics: Overview and Applications in IH Data Interpretation

intermediate | 1.34 CM Points/ 8 Contact Hours/ 1.0 CEU/COC Point | Saturday | 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Limit: 70

Topic:
Exposure Assessment Strategies

Description:
The Bayesian statistical framework offers exciting opportunities for improving the accuracy, efficiency, and transparency of our exposure judgments. Bayesian techniques can be used to formally combine our professional judgment regarding a particular exposure and its uncertainty along with the statistical analysis of current exposure data. The language and framework of the approach holds promise for expressing the output of exposure assessments in a manner that is much more easily understood and communicated than the output from more traditional statistical analysis. Best of all, the Bayesian decision analysis approach formalizes traditional exposure assessment processes already used by industrial hygienists today. This PDC will provide an overview of the Bayesian framework for decision analysis and explore, through discussion and workshops, opportunities for its application in industrial hygiene data interpretation and exposure risk assessment.

Value Added:
Receive software for performing Bayesian decision analysis calculations and participate in workshops on formalizing the exposure assessment process.

Prerequisites:
Familiarity with A Strategy for Assessing and Managing Occupational Exposures. Experienced in exposure assessments and monitoring data interpretation

Learning Aids:
Participants must bring a laptop. A software program for performing Bayesian decision analysis calculations will be distributed. Note that the software is designed for Windows-based PCs. It will not run on a Macintosh computer without an emulator.

Outcomes:
Upon completion, the participant will be able to:

  • Implement techniques for improving the accuracy of their exposure judgments.
  • Relate a Bayesian framework for decision analysis to the AIHA® Exposure Assessment Strategy.
  • Use a software tool to perform Bayesian decision analysis of industrial hygiene monitoring data.

Outline:

  • Making Good Exposure Decisions: Interpreting Data
  • Importance of Professional Judgment
  • AIHA® Exposure Assessment Model: Inherently a Bayesian Approach
  • Improving Judgments: Bayesian Decision Analysis (BDA) Theory and Tool
  • Putting Improvement Ideas to Practice: Scenario Examples
  • Use of Subjective Decisions
  • Integrating Improvement Activities into Your Professional Practice

Transfer of Knowledge:
Instructors will evaluate participants understanding of the materials presented based on:

  • Hands-on demonstrations and practicum
  • Practice exercises
  • Group activities

Sponsoring Committee:
Exposure Assessment Strategies

Important PDC dates:

  • May 18 — E-handout download instructions are e-mailed.
  • June 1  — Contact the AIHA if you have not received your e-handout e-mail.
  • June 1  — AIHce 2012 online communities for collaborative learning open.
  • June 15-17 — AIHce 2012 PDCs are presented. Participants must bring a printed or electronic copy of their PDC handout.
  • August 31 — AIHce 2012 online communities for collaborative learning close.
  • August 27 – Educational transcripts updated and available for download

Instructors: