Statistical Community Service: What
Role Can Students Play?
Cherie A. Ochsenfeld and Gayla R. Olbricht, statistics in the Community (statCom), Purdue university
A
s our society becomes more technically inte-
grated, the ability to collect large volumes of
data becomes more feasible for even
the smallest companies and organizations.
Unfortunately, computing power hasn’t followed
and many organizations lack the knowledge to
collect data that will provide them with the most
information, as well as the knowledge to analyze the
data once it is collected.
Professional statisticians, through the ASA, have
begun providing pro bono statistical consulting at the
international and national levels through the Special
Interest Group on Volunteerism. However, there is
still a need for statistical consulting services at the
community level. This is where student statisticians,
through pro bono programs such as Statistics in the
Community (StatCom), can help their communities
while earning valuable consulting experience.
Local governments and nonprofit institutions
provide services to community residents and want statCom members from several universities present posters about their pro-
to know how to improve those services. To achieve
grams during JsM 2008.
this goal, they collect data, but do not have employ-
ees trained in data collection and analysis, or the also feel more connected to their communities and
financial resources to employ statistical consulting tend to become more involved in other community
services. Therefore, the information gleaned from activities and decisions.
the data is minimal. Writing reports is also an essential skill for pro-
Communities benefit from having the help of a fessional statisticians. Developing this skill in a
statistician. They are able to extract more informa- group setting allows students to learn from each
tion from their data and can make decisions based other. Working with the community also provides
on statistical evidence. Community members also students with the opportunity to give presenta-
learn procedures that lead to sound statistical meth- tions to both small and large audiences before they
ods they can employ in the future. In turn, members graduate. Additionally, involvement in pro bono
of the community feel more confident about the statistical consulting can be included on a résumé
results, as a nonbiased and trained third party has or curriculum vitae.
analyzed and interpreted the data. This is especially
important for government and service organizations
StatCom at Purdue University
that need to make changes in policy based on the
Graduate students in the statistics department at
needs of the community.
Purdue University started StatCom in 2001. It is a
Students often find it difficult to get real-world
graduate student–run consulting service that serves
experience because examples presented during
local government and nonprofit community agen-
coursework are suited to teach a concept. The
cies. Services often include designing surveys, using
examples also avoid many issues associated with
data to make informed decisions, and identifying
working on an authentic problem. Through pro-
trends and relationships in data. Since its inception,
grams such as StatCom, students learn the commu-
StatCom has worked with a range of clients, includ-
nication skills necessary to work with a client and
ing local school districts, libraries, nonprofit arts
explain statistical results in a meaningful way. This
organizations, and local government entities.
pro bono work allows students to make a positive
The StatCom membership has included students
change in their communities, see the effects of the
studying graduate statistics, undergraduate statistics,
statistical methods they implement, and experience
psychology, and English. Students work in teams,
how statistical analysis skills are valued. Students
enhancing their learning while creating friendships.
December 2009 AmstAt News 11
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