2024/2025
Methods of Statistical Consulting
Type:
Mago-Lego
Delivered by:
International Laboratory for Applied Network Research
When:
1 module
Open to:
students of one campus
Language:
English
ECTS credits:
3
Course Syllabus
Abstract
Students of this course will be introduced to statistical consulting techniques useful for work with researchers and decision-makers in business, educational, medical, financial and industrial settings. So as to better appreciate the practical nuances and subtleties of consulting, enrolled students will engage in actual hands-on statistical consulting with administrators, researchers, or students at HSE, through industry consulting projects, or remotely. Ethical issues related to the use and misuse of statistical methods, surveys, and studies will also be thoroughly discussed. Students will summarize their consulting activities in class discussions and reports, give class presentations, take quizzes, and write a final course paper. Since statistical consulting requires the integration/synthesis and use of course material across the full statistics curriculum spectrum, this course clearly and emphatically serves as a “capstone course” for the MS program in Applied Statistics. As such, this course also provides an excellent opportunity to assess the quality of our program by measuring key student outcomes.
Learning Objectives
- The course gives students an important foundation to develop and conduct their own research as well as to evaluate research of others.
Expected Learning Outcomes
- Be able to design tables and plots that increase clarity and understanding, create effective slides and oral presentation, write a study protocol.
- Be able to identify subject matter questions and translate into statistical language. Ask good questions and restate answers to ensure understanding.
- Be able to verbally explain statistical concepts.
- Be able to write a statistical analysis report
- Be able to write the background, goals, and study design section of a proposal or report.
- Have an ability to run an effective collaboration meeting, use video and other tools to improve meeting and collaboration.
- Have the skill to design and complete a consulting project from start to finish.
- Know ethical guidelines specific to statisticians.
- Know how to choose a statistical method that is appropriate for answering the client’s question.
- Know the principles and guidelines of Responsible Conduct for Research.
Course Contents
- Introduction to statistical consulting
- Project management in statistical consulting
- Reporting
- Important skills for a professional in statistical consulting
- Case study: Work on a practical case and discussion of the results
Assessment Elements
- In-class presentationIn-class presentation of the final version of the consulting report for a completed project
- Consulting reportWritten report on the completed project with specification of all the necessary report sections and indication of resposibilities and contribution of all group members.
Bibliography
Recommended Core Bibliography
- Dietmar Fink, & Oded Löwenbein. (2010). A management consulting view on the statistical consulting process. AStA Advances in Statistical Analysis, (1), 105. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10182-009-0119-0
Recommended Additional Bibliography
- Centreway Place, Mt Waverley Vic, & Jeremy Rothfield. (2013). Statistical Consulting. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=edsbas&AN=edsbas.7514F3BF