Statistical Consulting Services

The Statistical Consulting Center (SCC) provides consulting services to the Coastal community under the auspices of the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Purpose and Goal. The SCC advises and consults with individuals affiliated with the University as well as the members of the local community who are engaged in research requiring statistical data analysis. The range of statistical services the SCC provides includes graphical and numerical data description, experimental design, data management and analysis, survey design, and reporting and presentation of statistical analyses. The center's goal is to make complex statistical ideas understandable to researchers at all levels of statistical and computational sophistication.

Clients. The SCC assists faculty, staff, and students involved in research projects from every department on campus. The center also assists members of the local business community who utilize statistical analysis.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get assistance from the SCC?

In most cases, clients contact the lab staff and arrange for a meeting, which typically oCoastalrs within a day or two of the first contact.

What is expected of me at the first meeting?

In order to fully understand the problem, the SCC staff needs to have a firm understanding of the experimental context, the method used to sample and collect data, and the research questions to be answered. If available, please provide the staff with a copy of the data on diskette for use while developing recommendations. In addition, graphical descriptions of the data are also helpful.

What can I expect from the SCC?

• A description of an appropriate analysis strategy.
• The rationale behind the choice of methodology.
• The computer code necessary to carry out the analysis if needed.
• Assistance in interpreting and communicating the results of the analysis.

These services normally will be provided in the form of written recommendations as needed.

How much do these services cost?

In most cases, individuals affiliated with Coastal will receive these services free of charge. The SCC cannot input data or conduct data analysis after the recommendations are provided free of charge. If such services are desired, clients may make payments directly to data entry staff at the current hourly rate. In some cases collaboration and joint publication of research results can serve as a form of remuneration. Decisions regarding such collaboration will be left to the discretion of the SCC staff member and the researcher involved.

Can I include the SCC in a research grant?

Yes. When faculty members have a grant to conduct research, and they need statistical analysis, they can pay the SCC through the grant. The SCC staff becomes a part of the research team and a resource, which can be called upon not only to help plan the statistical analysis but also to conduct it as well. Furthermore, the lab will assist in writing reports and will meet with the representatives of funding agencies to discuss results where appropriate.

How do I get in touch with the stat lab?

You can reach us by telephone, fax, or e-mail.