Design, Implementation and Didactic Applications of an Online Biostatistical Assistant for Higher Education Students
Ian Jhemes Oliveira Sousa *
Pitágoras College of Health Sciences of Codó and Pitágoras College of Bacabal, State of Maranhão, Brazil, Federal University of Piauí, Postgraduate Program of Pharmacology, Teresina, State of Piauí, Brazil and Northeast Biotechnology Network, Focal Point on Federal University of Piauí – UFPI, Teresina, State of Piauí, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Learning scientific methodology is a fundamental skill in modern higher education; however, many students face significant barriers in transitioning from theoretical concepts to the practical analysis of data. This article presents AEDES (Statistical Assistant for Higher Education Students), a web-based tool developed to overcome this gap. AEDES offers a smooth learning curve interface for data entry, automatic selection of statistical tests, and clear, publication-ready visualizations. Unlike classic software focused on statistics itself (and not biostatistics) that often overwhelm beginners with complex menus and extensive functionalities, AEDES prioritizes clear didactics, offering alerts and objective interpretations of results. This article describes the general principles of the system, its comprehensive methodological structure, including the use of inferential biostatistical strategies such as Welch's t-test for comparisons between two groups, ANOVA explored with Holm-Bonferroni post-hoc analyses for multiple groups, and robust measures for association and sample size determination, and its potential impact on increasing research productivity and statistical understanding among undergraduate students in life sciences-related fields.
Keywords: Statistics, biostatistics, software, educational resource, scientific tool