JOB DESCRIPTION
Statisticians design and apply statistical techniques for creating, collecting and analysing data to draw conclusions, inform decision-making and direct policy within areas such as science, technology, medicine, education, business, finance and government. Statisticians may work by themselves, but they usually work in a team. The team may include specialists from various fields, as well as clerical and computing staff involved in data collection and analysis.
DUTIES AND TASKS
Statisticians may perform the following tasks:
- define precisely what is to be measured and decide which information to collect and from where
- determine the size of the sample to be tested and how the sample will be selected
- decide on the best method of collecting the information, whether by mail-out of questionnaires, experiments or survey interviews (telephone or face-to-face), and create associated measurement tools
- ensure measurement resources are used efficiently
- interpret data and produce relevant statistics to describe or infer particular trends and patterns
- model and predict trends for phenomena such as accidents, pollution, disease outbreaks and economic trends
- check the validity and reliability of statistical models used in applications
- fit models using statistical computing environments and packages and develop, code and run statistical computer programmes
- design experiments and trials to test new methods and products
- evaluate the accuracy of the obtained information, represent data graphically and report findings.
PERSONAL REQUIREMENTS
- aptitude for analysis and research
- good at mathematics
- good reasoning and problem-solving skills
- good programming and computer skills
- good communication skills
- able to work independently or as part of a team