Consulting on an Island: A Novel Approach to Teaching Statistical Collaboration Skills

• Activity Number: 323
• Type: Contributed
• Date/Time: Tuesday, August 11, 2015 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Consulting
• Author(s): Ann Brearley* and Barbara R. Kuzmak and Marta D. Shore and Laura J. Le
• Companies: University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota and University of Minnesota
• Keywords: consulting ; collaboration ; Island ; teaching ; training

Abstract

Learning statistical consulting skills is best accomplished by doing, but it can be difficult or even impossible for an instructor to find suitable collaboration opportunities that fit within a one-semester time frame. We have used an alternative approach for three semesters which involves a cross-course, cross-departmental collaboration. Students in a biostatistical literacy course, mostly established medical or public health professionals, act as investigators to conduct a clinical trial in a virtual population called the Island. Senior statistics majors in a consulting course serve as their statistical consultants. The consultants work with the investigators to design the study; later they analyze the data, write a formal analysis report, and discuss the results with the investigators. This collaboration provides real-world experience not only with the above tasks, but also with communicating statistical concepts and results effectively to non-statisticians. Students report that potential employers are highly interested in hearing about this collaborative experience. We will describe how the 'consulting experience' is structured, and discuss some of the benefits and challenges.