Abstract #300061

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JSM 2003 Abstract #300061
Activity Number: 161
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Monday, August 4, 2003 : 2:00 PM to 3:50 PM
Sponsor: Section on Statistical Consulting
Abstract - #300061
Title: Working with Researchers in the Agricultural Sciences: Communication is the Key
Author(s): Thomas M. Loughin*+
Companies: Kansas State University
Address: Dept. of Statistics, Manhattan, KS, 66506,
Keywords: consulting ; client ; interface ; interaction
Abstract:

Providing statistical consulting to a large number of researchers in a College of Agriculture presents a set of challenges that not all consultants face. In a typical year I work with over 100 different researchers, some with multiple projects. I am not able to perform detailed statistical analyses and write reports on each project. Rather, my typical mode of operation is to discuss a problem with the researcher, devise a solution, and provide the researcher with the means to execute the solution on her/his own, usually in the form of a handwritten SAS program. The level of follow-up is left to the researcher's comfort level--some can type, run, and debug the program, interpret the results, and prepare their own presentations and reports without further consultation; others need help at each subsequent step. As a result, the vast majority of my consulting time is spent communicating, and there are definitely "tricks" a consultant can use to enhance the flow of useful information. I will discuss experience gleaned from nearly 15 years of communicating with researchers in agricultural sciences.

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