Statistician

Overview and Key Facts

What Do They Do?

A statistician could...

Overview Listen to this section

Statisticians use the power of math and probability theory to answer questions that affect the lives of millions of people. They tell educators which teaching method works best, tell policy-makers what levels of pesticides are acceptable in fresh fruit, tell doctors which treatment works best, and tell builders which type of paint is the most durable. They are employed in virtually every type of industry imaginable, from engineering, manufacturing, and medicine to animal science, food production, transportation, and education. Everybody needs a statistician!

Do You Have the Skills and Characteristics of a Statistician?

1. Mathematics: ? Using mathematics to solve problems.
2. Critical Thinking: ? Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
3. Reading Comprehension: ? Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
4. Active Listening: ? Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
5. Complex Problem Solving: ? Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

6. Speaking: ? Talking to others to convey information effectively.
7. Active Learning: ? Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
8. Writing: ? Communicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
9. Science: ? Using scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
10. Judgment and Decision Making: ? Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

Core Tasks

Think about if you'd like the typical tasks a Statistician might do:

• Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
• Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
• Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.
• Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.
• Present statistical and nonstatistical results, using charts, bullets, and graphs, in meetings or conferences to audiences such as clients, peers, and students.
• Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
• Design research projects that apply valid scientific techniques and use information obtained from baselines or historical data to structure uncompromised and efficient analyses.
• Process large amounts of data for statistical modeling and graphic analysis, using computers.
• Adapt statistical methods to solve specific problems in many fields, such as economics, biology, and engineering.
• Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
• Report results of statistical analyses in peer-reviewed papers and technical manuals.
• Evaluate sources of information to determine any limitations, in terms of reliability or usability.
• Develop and test experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods.
• Plan data collection methods for specific projects and determine the types and sizes of sample groups to be used.
• Supervise and provide instructions for workers collecting and tabulating data.
• Examine theories, such as those of probability and inference, to discover mathematical bases for new or improved methods of obtaining and evaluating numerical data.
• Prepare and structure data warehouses for storing data.
• Develop software applications or programming to use for statistical modeling and graphic analysis.
• Apply sampling techniques or use complete enumeration bases to determine and define groups to be surveyed.