Interview with the Vampire Researcher: An Adventure in Applied Statistics
Brenda Osuna
University of Southern California
Reagan Rose
University of Southern California
Cynthia Vinney
Fielding Graduate University
In this panel presentation attendees met three researchers of varied educational level who reported on a unique educational project. The focus is on mentoring an undergraduate math major in performing her first data analysis on actual survey data using applied statistical methods. A masters level media psychologist who is a non-statistician, qualitative researcher collected the data. The data were analyzed in a previous qualitative study (Vinney, 2011). While the undergraduate researcher acted as a statistical consultant and analyst for the first time, the master's level researcher had the opportunity to learn to frame quantitative research questions, develop hypotheses based on these questions, and learn to understand statistical results. The project was supervised by a PhD statistical consultant and researcher. The panelists each presented the project and the results of the project from their own point of view. The process and outcome will provide insight into the different perspectives of the three individuals involved in the process and the way their experiences may be applied to further educational endeavors in applied statistics. The presenters conclude that mentoring is an effective alternative method for teaching statistical consulting to undergraduates.
