University of Minnesota Course Information
Statistics 8801, Statistical Consulting
Spring Semester 2008
2:30-3:20 MWF, B29 Ford Hall, Mpls Campus

Instructor

Sanford Weisberg, 312 Ford, 625-8355, sandy@stat.umn.edu. Office hours will be 3:30-4:30 MW, and by appointment or email.

Texts and Readings

While no book is required, there are several useful books including Statistical Consulting by Javier Cabrera and Andrew McDougall (2002), Statistical Consulting: A Guide to Effective Communication by Janice Derr (1999), Human Side of Statistical Consulting by James R. Boen and Douglas A. Zahn (1982), and Statistical Rules of Thumb by Gerald van Belle (2002).

There will be frequent handouts and occasional articles from the professional and popular press for reading.

Class Web Page

All handouts and readings will be posted on the class webpage, http://www.stat.umn.edu/~sandy/courses/8801

Course Grade

This course must be taken S/N. Grading will be based on the following:

1. Approximately 10 group assignments. The class will be divided in thirds. Each group will work together on the assignment, which may be data analysis, critical comments on published articles, or some other assignment. The group leader will then summarize the group's work in a 12-minute presentation to the class. All students will do at least one presentation. Groups will be changed each week.
2. Up to three short written assignments. You will be assigned literature to read, and then write short summaries.
3. One longer presentation of about 20 minutes on a topic about which you know nothing but will use any resources you can, including the internet and books, to learn enough to give the talk.
4. Classroom participation. Without your input, this may be a very dull course. Speak up!

Curriculum

The course has four threads: professional practice, communication, technical tools, and case studies. Professional practice deals with ethics, working with clients, defining problems, interpersonal skills, operating a business, professional growth, Communication deals with effective writing, oral presentation, presentation of data via tables and graphs, and publication. Technical tools include some techniques, but mostly thinking about and learning about new ideas, approaches, and techniques.

Disabilities

Students with disabilities that affect their ability to participate fully in class or to meet all course requirements should bring this to my attention so that appropriate accommodations can be arranged. You may also wish to contact Disabilities Services.