Virtual Experiments to Teach Experimental Design: A Web-Based Tool for Biostatistics Students Bridging the Gap Between Data Collection and Statistical Analysis

Biostatistics students expect to graduate with the required tools and knowledge to collect and analyse their own data. Many go on to careers that require them to design their own lab- or field-based experiments. However, the examples introduced throughout their courses are textbook: data have already been collected appropriately, wrangled, and cleaned. Dealing with pre-provided, historic data does little to motivate student engagement with the underlying statistical concepts and fails to bridge the gap between statistical theory and application. Here, we discuss an application that provides students with the experience of designing an experiment and collecting their own unique dataset in a cost- and hassle-free way.