Statistical consultant

A statistical consultant provides statistical advice and guidance to clients interested in making decisions through the analysis or collection of data. Clients often need statistical advice to answer questions in business, medicine, biology, genetics, forestry, agriculture, fisheries, wildlife management, psychology, law, industry. The role of the statistical consultant varies from project to project, and can include any or all of the following:

• design of experiments and research studies
• plotting data
• measurement instruments (choosing, constructing & analyzing)
• determination of adequate sample size to detect a hypothesized effect
• determination of an adequate sampling procedure for a study, survey or experiment
• supervision of data collection to ensure elements of the population are being sampled correctly
• statistical analyses (e.g., analysis of variance, regression, etc.) of data to address research hypotheses
• the write-up of statistical results for grant proposals, manuscripts, professional conferences, or other presentations.

Many universities run statistical consulting services for researchers and students within their institution, and some also offer external consulting on commercial terms. There are also many private statistical consulting firms that work with companies and individuals.

See also

• Statistician
• Management consulting
• List of University Statistical Consulting Centers

References

• Boen, J. R., & Zahn, D. A. (1982). Human Side of Statistical Consulting. Wadsworth Publishing Company.
• Cabrera, J., McDougall, A. (2002). Statistical Consulting. Springer.
• Derr, J. (1999). Statistical Consulting: A Guide to Effective Communication. Duxbury Press.
• Hand, D. J., & Everitt, B.S. (1987). The Statistical Consultant in Action. Cambridge University Press.
• Adèr, H.J., Mellenbergh, G.J., & Hand, D.J. (2007). Advising on research methods: A consultant’s companion. Johannes van Kessel Publishing: Huizen, The Netherlands.

External links

• Directory of Statistical Consultants provided by the Royal Statistical Society