A Statistical consultant provides statistical advices and guidance to the clients assisting him to make decisions through the proper analysis or the collection of data. The consultant in this regard uses the client logic which is the logic of experimentation assuming temporarily the scientific method.
A statistical consultant understands the nature and objective of statistical consulting and uses his analytical and personal skills to get the job done. The character of a statistical consultant may vary time to time over different projects depending on the client and his requirements. The clients may belong to any background such as industry, business, science, wildlife management and others.
There are many attributes attached for being a good statistical consultant. A good statistical consultant should not only be an effective problem solver to his clients but should also participate in solving company problems. He should have good oral and written communication skills to interact to his clients. He should be familiar to the study of statistical literature and understand the truths of statistical practice. One of the most important roles of a statistical consultant is to grow and develop statistical methodology that produces quality work in proper time in proper fashion.
However, statistical consultants may face a lot of problems during the ongoing overall consulting process. These problems can be of varied types varying in the origin of data and also fluctuations in their personal skills to resolve problems or questions. Sometimes it may become frustrating for the consultant to connect to some mathematically and statistically blank clients and thereby producing a communication gap. However, he should keep it in mind that it is due to the inadequate knowledge of clients that they have come and approached consultants for professional services. In order to attain the most beneficial result or solution to the client’s problem, the consultant should know about the nature of the client, his requirement and the best type of solution that the latter can handle or willing to use. It becomes very important for the consultant to aware the client regarding statistical methodology to prove that in comparison to a computer solution to wrong problem, the approximations of the particular statistical test can only be guaranteed within a confined set of questions and under a particular set of assumptions. There may be times, when the consultant has to inform the clients regarding the failure of the objectives and a solution to the latter’s problem.
So, considering every standpoint, it can be rightly said that both the personal skills and the statistical skills of the statistical consultant affect and assist him to attain the objectives of statistical consulting which is the assistance of clients for taking decisions or the ascertaining the truth.
