Master’s Notebook
What Do Statisticians and
Biostatisticians Do?
Keith Crank, AsA Assistant Director for Research and Graduate education
are appropriate and how to
I
n the May 2008 issue of
Amstat News, a letter from a
interpret the results.
biostatistics graduate student,
But, maybe Stephanie
Stephanie, written to me was
would be better off going
printed. Stephanie pointed out
for her PhD. If she wants
what got her interested in pursu-
to do research, develop new
ing a graduate degree in biostatis-
theory or methodology, or
tics and she asked what statisti-
obtain a deeper understand-
cians and biostatisticians do,
ing of current theory and
exactly. Although we requested
methodology, this would be
input from the community, we
a reasonable option. This
received very few responses,
also could be done from a
and most of those responses did not answer the
job, but there would likely be less time to devote to
question.
it. It’s also possible that the job market will push her
But Stephanie will soon be making a decision about
back into a PhD program. While I believe there is “
You also
what to do. Should she continue to the PhD program?
still a demand for master’s-level biostatisticians, there
should real-
Should she get a job? And, if so, what kind of job
are likely to be fewer positions available in the cur-
ize that the
would suit her? I cannot answer these questions, but I
rent economic climate. The choice may be between
can provide some comments that may be useful.
settling for a less-than-desirable job and staying in
decision you
One of the people who did respond was from the
school for a few more years.
make now
financial industry. He pointed out the importance of
As in most disciplines, I believe there are statis-
master’s-level statisticians running regressions to deter-
tics and biostatistics jobs that run the gamut from does not
mine whether customers were good credit risks, as well
those in which someone tells you (more or less) all
as to design experiments to test marketing strategies.
the statistical procedures you should follow to those
necessarily
His response led me to believe that he has a lot of inde-
in which you have total freedom in making those
determine
pendence in deciding what to do.
decisions. Most jobs will fall somewhere in between.
Another respondent agreed with Stephanie that
And while there are probably people at all educa-
your career
discussions with faculty at her undergraduate insti-
tional levels throughout the spectrum, the jobs with
path for the
tution were important in leading her into a graduate
the most flexibility are more likely to be filled by
biostatistics program. She also said, “We learned that
statisticians and biostatisticians with PhDs, while rest of your
master’s students would be doing more hands-on
the ones with the least flexibility are more likely to
data analysis, whereas PhD students would likely be
be filled with bachelor’s- and master’s-level (bio)stat-
life.
doing more theoretical work and designing studies
isticians. The key is to figure out where along the ”
and writing papers.”
spectrum you would be happy (recognizing that this
I think this is too much of a generalization. In an
is likely to change as you gain experience) and find a
organization with a large number of PhD (bio)statisti-
job that is neither too challenging nor too boring.
cians, the people without the PhD are likely to spend
Finally, you also should realize that the decision
a lot of time organizing data and running computer
you make now does not necessarily determine your
programs. The PhDs, on the other hand, are prob-
career path for the rest of your life. Taking a job now
ably deciding what programs to run, what the output
does not prevent you from going back to school later,
means, and what should be in a report. Some, but not
nor does continuing toward your PhD prevent you
all, may be doing theoretical work.
from taking a job before obtaining the PhD.
In an organization with few PhD (bio)statisticians
Good luck, Stephanie, and let me know how things
(relative to the number of non-PhD (bio)statisticians),
turn out.
those with a master’s degree are going to have a lot
To contact me, send an email to keith@amstat.org.
of flexibility in what they do and more opportunities
Questions or comments about this article, as well as
to make decisions about what statistical procedures
suggestions for future articles, are always welcome. n
JANUARy 2009 AMsTAT NeWs 19
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