Type of support provided

Ways in which the Support Service can help university researchers

(1) Study Design and Surveys

• Designing efficient single factor or multi-factor experiments.
• Effective study designs and sampling plans for surveys and observational studies.
• Sample size and power calculations.

(2) Data Analysis

• Data screening, data management.
• Use of statistical software eg SPSS, JMP, SAS, R.
• Use of statistical tools to extract information from the data. eg graphical presentation of data, ANOVA, Regression, Time series.
• Interpretation of results.

(3) How to write-up statistical results.

• Choose relevant statistical output and make meaningful graphs, tables and text in results sections of theses, papers and reports.
• Conform to good practice in the way in which the results are reported.
• Assistance with responding to statistical aspects of reviewer comments on submitted theses or papers.

(4) Grant or project proposals.
Assistance with

• study and survey design,
• sample size and power,
• how the results will be analysed,
• estimating a budget for statistical support for the proposal,
• reading the methodology section of proposals.

The greatest benefit is obtained if the service is involved at the start of proposal development.

(5) Seminars/Workshops/Courses in Statistics for Individual or School/Discipline needs

• Use of statistical software, data analysis methods, statistical tools etc.

Benefits of statistical support

More effective studies and research through

• reduced time to solve research problems
• sound statistical interpretation of results
• valid research results for published work
• higher quality projects
• more effective researchers through increased skill in statistical techniques.

Contacting a consultant as early as possible, ideally during the study design stage, rather than after data is collected, can improve the quality of the project and possibly save wasted effort.