Graduate Research School Research Training Network StatsHelp

StatsHelp

Statistics = The science, methods and practice of collecting, analysing, interpreting and presenting data.

Help = To make something easier or possible; to offer guidance

Statisticians spend a lot of time developing the best approach for a research project. This is time well spent because it can lead to a simpler analysis, a more comprehensive final project. You should spend more time with a statistician at the beginning of your project getting the design right rather than trying to rescue the research at the end. This will help you to avoid:

  • Losing time and money
  • Inexact research questions, aims or hypotheses
  • Poor research design
  • Inadequate collection of data
  • Incorrect application of statistics
  • Misinterpretation of results.

It is your research

It sounds obvious but this is your research. Any analysis and reports should be built on your knowledge. Before you collect any data, you need to consider how you might analyse it. You need to state what descriptive and inferential data analysis techniques you propose to use, and how you will use them. When StatsHelp have this information, we can agree with you, warn you about any difficulties, or recommend better approaches. However, you may not have the time or resources to implement these suggestions. Be realistic and do not commit yourselves to too much. It is better to investigate a small part of the research problem really well than the whole problem poorly.  So, reach out for StatsHelp from the Graduate Research School before  getting started!

Making a StatsHelp Request

To get StatsHelp please use the StatsHelp Request button below. This will bring you to a page that asks for information about your project before you meet with a statistician. This way StatsHelp can maximise the time spent on your actual questions rather than understanding the project background. If you have any problems with requesting StatsHelp, please email statshelp@jcu.edu.au.

It is recommended that you submit your StatsHelp Request well in advance of when you think you'll need StatsHelp. During busy periods, it may take two weeks before a statistician can meet with you. When you have an appointment, please be mindful of sticking to your arranged time and being prepared, or giving plenty of warning if you won't be able to make it. This will let everyone get the most out of StatsHelp. Appointments can be in person or online though Zoom or Teams.

Remember, the best time to ask for StatsHelp is before you collect any data!

StatsHelp Request

More information

StatsHelp is available to

  • Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) candidates
  • Professional Doctorate candidates
  • Master of Philosophy (MPhil) candidates
  • GradCert and GradDip in Research methods students
  • Academic advisors to the above candidates
  • Staff members doing research as part of their JCU role.

StatsHelp is free for those outlined in “Who can use the StatsHelp Service?"

How Much?

There is currently no set limit on the amount of StatsHelp you access.  However, the ownership of the research sits with you, and any analysis and reports should be built based on your own skills and knowledge.  To achieve this, your StatsHelp consultant may suggest you undertake some professional development or training to build on your existing knowledge.  This will be intended to complement StatsHelp,  and will also be beneficial for future projects.

What Type?

The StatsHelp given will be based on a combination of the  type of research, and your own level of understanding to arrive at a recommended statistically correct technique.  The benefits and drawbacks of multiple techniques will be discussed with you.  The StatsHelp team have a broad range of expertise, but specialist input may be brought in, or you may be referred on if needed.

Statistics short courses are offered as part of the Graduate Research School’s Professional Development Program. Places for these courses fill up quickly, so be sure to register early.

To get the most out of your initial consultation, the following approach is recommended:

  • If you are a student or HDR candidate, we encourage you to ask your advisors to attend the first StatsHelp meeting. This ensures that both you and your advisors are aware of the pros and cons of possible approaches.
  • Be prepared to succinctly explain your research question/s without using jargon.  Remember your statistician may not be an expert in your area of research!
  • Prepare general background information on your research and research question(s), your research aims, objectives or hypotheses, and a general description of your research design.  Also consider what is usual for your area of research as different disciplines favour different methods and data analysis.  If you do not have any information on these areas because you are just beginning your research journey, we can help you define your aims, objectives or hypotheses, and provide advice on your research design.
  • Prepare sample information about the population or area of interest being sampled, a description of the sampling method, including repeated measure or replicates, and the sample size in total and per group. If you do not have any sampling information, we can help you with identifying your population, sampling methods, and sample size.
  • Prepare a description of proposed or existing data collection methods. This includes any data collection resources you have such as instruments, questionnaires, or data collection forms. If you have not collected any data, we can help you design your data collection process, such as questionnaires, what data may be required and in what format, and data management suggestions.
  • Prepare information about data analysis including:
    • Data collected and graphed if possible
    • Code books or data dictionaries, where available
    • A list of the response variables (aka dependent, experimental, explained, outcome, predictor, target), that is the measurement(s) at the heart of your project
    • A list of the explanatory variables (aka covariate, exposure, independent, input, predictor)
    • A detailed description of the major response and explanatory variables.

    If you have not started your data analysis, that’s okay, we can help with that.

If you require advanced, extensive, or time-consuming assistance, your statistician may be willing to enter a collaborative arrangement that will result in co-authorship of any paper that uses their assistance. Likewise, consultations on grants or contracts may mean that your statistician should be included on any application