Do you love working with data? Then, you may want to become a statistician. Working in this role, you can analyze data and provide valuable insights to help your business grow.
But before giving it a try, read my article about a day in the life of a statistician first. Once you picture what this job actually looks like, you can tell if it suits you. So, let’s dig into the details!
Overview
A statistician uses statistical models and methods to solve problems. More specifically, they analyze data to help their companies make strategic decisions.
The statistician has multiple tasks related to business data. For example, they need to:
- Collect and organize data in an ethical way
- Do surveys and polls
- Design data-collection tools to facilitate their jobs
- Analyze data to identify patterns
- Present the findings to employers
- Explain how their findings can help businesses grow
- Evaluate different statistical methods to ensure their validity and accuracy
I’m a statistician. I can’t describe my typical workday because it may be different depending on the project. But here is what I often do.
Prepare Data
I work with data most of the time. First, I collect it from different sources and get it ready for processing. This task involves arranging the data and checking for inaccuracies.
Besides, raw data is an important part. Before putting it into analysis, I have to adjust and weigh it. This way, I can have high-quality information for my company.
Design Research Projects
To gather information, I have to come up with effective research projects. Here is what I do for this task:
- Write statistical hypotheses: The hypothesis is a good way to predict customer behavior. Hence, I often start with predictions and analyze data to test them.
- Plan research designs: I use experimental, descriptive, or correlational designs for my project. While the experimental mẹthods influence variables directly, the other two aim to measure them. So, I need to consider specific cases to choose the best design.
- Measure variables: After planning the design, I measure the variables on different levels to opt for the most suitable statistics.
Find Patterns and Trends in Data
A trend in data refers to the changes in variables with them. For example, when analyzing data for my company, I focus on how market behaviors change over a period, which is a data trend. Then, I can generate customer insights to help strategize business plans.
On the other hand, a pattern is the way data repeats. Data patterns may include research on price and sale volume.
The question is, how can I find trends and patterns in data? First, I study my target audience. Their requirements are the guidelines for my research.
Then, I choose the best visualizations to show patterns and trends in data. I often use bar charts for categorical data. But if it’s series data, I will go for line charts. So, the choice depends on the project.
Consistent scales, colors, and labels are essential, too. They contribute to the presence of the data, making it easier for me to find data patterns and trends.
Report Results of Statistical Analyses
After hours of working on the data, I have to provide user-friendly reports that identify my conclusions from my company’s data.
This task is more complex than you may think. Only by writing it clearly, can I offer a complete interpretation of my data. Hence, I work on this task by focusing on these factors carefully:
- Font: The report should be in easy-to-read font. My managers also ask me to type them single-spaced, using Arial in 13-point size.
- Citation: The citation method plays a vital role, too. It makes my reports more reliable.
- Section headings: Headings help me organize my report. And if my managers want to jump around the sections, they can do it quickly.
- Main section: I start this part with the main results. Then, I include data patterns and trends that may affect my company’s strategies.
- Conclusion: At the end of the report, I define my results. I put a lot of effort into this part because some readers may skip the analysis section and jump to the conclusion.
Present Data Results
Sometimes, I have meetings with my teammates. It’s a chance for me to present my results and assist them with their job.
To prepare for the meeting, I work on non-statistical and statistical results. I may also use graphs, charts, or bullets to make them easier to digest.
Process Data for Statistical Modeling
I handle vast amounts of business data for visual analysis and statistical modeling. Luckily, I can use computers for this task. Technology has evolved strongly so that I don’t have any issue when handling big data.
Adapt Statistical Methods
Statistical models help me analyze data because they make it easier to understand. Here are the go-to choices:
- Hypothesis test: This method determines if a characteristic or premise is true for my data set. The test is handy when I want to review the connections among data points.
- Mean: I use this method to find overall trends in data sets when there are few outliers. It means data points don’t have a lot in common with the whole data set.
- Regression: This test helps determine if a variable can affect another. For example, I can use it to tell if social media ads can increase or decrease the number of clients that visit my company’s website.
Evaluate Different Methods and Procedures
After trying different statistical methods, I evaluate their efficiency and accuracy. This way, I can easily choose the best solution for my next project. My company may also use my report for their strategies.
Conclusion
I have been working as a statistician for years, but this job is always exciting to me. Dealing with data is my passion. I can also help my company make wise decisions, making it a rewarding and valuable job.
If you have the same interest, don’t be afraid to follow your dream career. Hopefully, my guide to a day in the life of a statistician is what you need to make up your mind.
