Abstract #302123

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JSM 2003 Abstract #302123
Activity Number: 317
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2003 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
Sponsor: Section on Statistical Consulting
Abstract - #302123
Title: Client/Consultant Impressions of Interaction
Author(s): Holmes Finch*+
Companies: University of South Carolina
Address: 716 Zimalcrest Dr., Columbia, SC, 29210-6579,
Keywords: statistical consulting ; university consulting center ; ethnographic research ; interviews ; client satisfaction
Abstract:

Many universities have statistical consulting centers that provide services to faculty, students, and staff for free or at nominal cost. These services typically include assistance with identifying the appropriate statistical analysis for specific research problems, and advice on the use of statistical software. Communication among the parties involved is key for the ultimate success of the interaction. A great deal has been written by statisticians concerning the difficulties of consulting, and some ethnographic research has been conducted examining the viewpoint of clients in the consulting process. This study examines the issue of communication in the consulting process from the perspective of both the client and the consultant. Clients and their consultant in a university consulting lab will be interviewed about their perspective on the interaction, after meeting. Emphasis will be placed upon identifying both satisfactory and unsatisfactory aspects of the consultation. The researcher will also observe the consulting sessions. Several clients and one consultant will be interviewed, and standard ethnographic techniques will be used to analyze the data.

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