Statistical Consulting Service

About the service

Director: Associate Professor Ken Russell

Consultants: staff members of the School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics

The Statistical Consulting Service in the School of Mathematics and Applied Statistics provides students and staff members of the University of Wollongong with consulting assistance for research. The service aims to improve the statistical content of research carried out by members of the University. Researchers from all disciplines may use the Service. Priority is currently given to staff members, and postgraduate students undertaking research for Doctor of Philosophy or Masters' degrees.

It is important that University researchers consult the Service at the beginning of their investigation, so that their research will include clear research hypotheses and well-designed data collection processes as these are basic to any analysis.

The assistance provided by the Statistical Consulting Service includes advice on

• the planning of surveys and experiments,
• the collection of data and their entry into a computer,
• statistical analyses, and
• the presentation of results.

Planning the data gathering process is crucial to research, and consulting with the Statistical Consulting Service at this stage will reap the most reward.

The Statistical Consulting Service can arrange for later data entry and statistical analyses for those who wish to pay for these services rather than do the work themselves.

Currently the Statistical Consulting Service provides each University researcher with up to ten hours per calendar year of consulting time without charge, unless they receive external research funding. When researchers require more consulting time, or receive external funding, a service charge is necessary.

Training courses to help improve the statistical knowledge of researchers on campus are provided by the Statistical Consulting Service. The Statistical Methods for Research Workers course provides an introduction to and revision of basic statistical methodology, and is especially useful to those people who will be seeking assistance from the Consulting Service in their work. This short course is held at least once per year. Comprehensive notes are issued and the charge is $90. The Survey Methods course gives an introduction to the important aspects of planning and conducting a survey. This course is held once a year and also costs $80.

For an appointment

You will need to fill out an Initial Appointment Form and return it to Kerrie Gamble before you attend your first appointment. This is to be accompanied by a one page description of the project, and a copy of your staff/student card. The Director of the service will then assign the most appropriate consultant to your project.

Research students must be accompanied by their supervisor to their initial appointment.

Contact

Kerrie Gamble (Administrative Assistant)
telephone(02) 4221 4308
facsimile  (02) 4221 4845,
e-mail: statcon@uow.edu.au
or go to Rm 15.110 and ask for an appointment with the Statistical Consulting Service.

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