Week 5: Model Fitting and Parameter Estimation

This week, we will explore model fitting and parameter estimation, and its use in infectious disease epidemiology. We will first explore the principle behind model fitting and parameter estimation. We will then use simple model fitting methods to estimate an important epidemiological quantity – the basic reproduction number. Finally, we will explore the principle behind some more complex models for parameter estimation. Because this is an introductory course, we will only briefly discuss some of the statistical methods used in the field. There are many online and offline resources for learning more about these methods, some of which are referenced in the lectures.

5.1 Introduction to Parameter Estimation

5.2 Estimating R0Using a Simple Model

5.3 More Complex Models Part 1

5.4 More Complex Models Part 2