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CBSU Methods Group
The Methods Research and Infrastructure Group (Methods Group) coordinates research which develops and implements methods in support of the scientific research programmes at the CBU. Methods research at the CBSU comprises the following broad areas:
- Physics of Magnetic Resonance Imaging
- Analysis and Modelling of (f)MRI data
- Analysis and Modelling of EEG/MEG data
- Statistical Modelling
- Computational and Neural Modelling
We also organise and coordinate general methods training for cognitive neuroscience research at the CBSU and within the Cambridge neuroscience community.
The CBSU methods resources are distributed across several groups and projects. You'll find some useful links on the General Imaging Wikis and the Methods Wiki.
Current Research Activity
fMRI Data Processing and Analysis
A number of researchers at the CBSU are developing and optimising fMRI data analysis.
Some of the most recent developments are related to multivariate pattern and connectivity analysis of fMRI data. See our Imaging Wiki Pages for more details.
MRI Physics, Data Processing and Analysis
I develop and support methods for improved acquisition and analysis of (f)MRI data, which at the CBSU are acquired on a Siemens 3T TIM Trio with 12- and 32-channel headcoils. Acquisition includes mainly T1/T2/BOLD/Diffusion-weighted EPI sequences, and analysis includes mainly fMRI timeseries analysis.
MEG Data Analysis
We develop and evaluate methods for MEG analysis, in particular for source estimation, statistics, connectivity and multi-variate analysis techniques. For more information please visit our MEG Wiki Pages, or contact
Statistics
- I apply, explain and make available, for general use, a broad range of statistical techniques primarily using R, SPSS and EXCEL for addressing problems which crop up in research at the CBSU (See the statistical resources below). In particular I have taught technical aspects of SPSS, namely macros and the output management system, at various workshops. Recent statistical applications include the creation of power calculators for determining sample size for grant proposal submissions, using structural equation models to assess factor structures in studies involving emotional and attentional data and computation of memory test norms. I have also spoken at the SPSS annual users meeting in York, which I now organise, three times on analyses of MRC data using respectively cosinor analysis of attentional data, survival analysis of cognitive data and repeated measures in SPSS in the presence of a varying covariate (various). I have also contributed a primer chapter on statistical aspects of survival analysis covered in the above talk in A handbook of research methods for clinical and health psychology, edited by Miles, J. and Gilbert, P. (2005) OUP.
- Upcoming work involves using generalised estimating equations to compare rates of psychiatric disorders in cancer patients and their siblings adjusting for effects of IQ and more work on aspects of power analyses including the obtaining of confidence intervals for effect sizes.