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Statisticians design and apply statistical
principles and techniques for collecting, organising and interpreting
quantifiable data, and use statistical methodologies to produce
statistical reports and analyses for government, commercial and other
purposes.
Statisticians use scientific numerical collection methods to collect and
analyse data for use by government or to solve problems in business,
engineering, healthcare, or other fields.
Statisticians collect, analyse and interpret numerical data across a
broad spectrum of industries and topics. They can work in areas as
diverse as analysing medical data to determine where outbreaks of
disease began and how they are likely to spread [Biostatistician],
through to compiling a cricketer's batting and/or bowling figures.
Statisticians design data collection methodologies, including sample
size, location, questions to be asked and data collection method. Once
the data has been collected they can examine it for patterns and trends,
which can suggest reasons behind past events and sometimes also predict
likely future happenings.
Statisticians design and apply statistical techniques for creating,
collecting and analysing data to draw conclusions, inform
decision-making and direct policy within areas such as science,
technology, medicine, education, business, finance and government.
ANZSCO ID: 224113
Specialisations:
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Biometrician [on a different page ]
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Demographer [on a different page ]
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Epidemiologist [on a different page ]
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Mathematical Statistician - develops new statistical theories, modelling approaches and statistical methodologies in a broad variety of contexts.
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Applied Statistician - analyses data from a variety of sources, including designed experiments and observational studies, and writes statistical programmes. Applications include health, medicine, education, industry, government, finance and business.
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Statistics Researcher - Racing or Horse Racing Data Analyst.
ANZSCO ID: 451899 Racing and statistics go hand-in-hand, so there are plenty of roles for maths brains in this field. Case in point is Josh Kay, who has carved out a niche as a statistics researcher at Channel Seven. He collates all the data to brief key personnel like Bruce McAvaney, Channel Seven’s racing host. How did he score this role? ‘I studied commerce then did a Graduate Certificate of Business (Sport Management) at Deakin University,’ he says.
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Knowledge, skills and attributes
To become a statistician, you would need:
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excellent numeracy
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aptitude for analysis and research
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an analytical mind - good reasoning and problem-solving skills
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strong skills in data modelling and analysis
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the ability to use statistical software
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good communication skills
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a methodical and logical approach
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planning and organisational skills
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able to work independently or as part of a team
(Source:
Your Career)
Duties and Tasks
As a statistician, you would:
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Formulate mathematical models to simulate processes.
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Apply models to experimental observations, and adjusts and recasts the models.
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Use numerical analysis methods to develop algorithms and perform computations.
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Liaise with management and clients to determine the subject or area to be surveyed or examined.
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Specify the data to be collected, and the methodology to be used in collection and analysis.
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Evaluate and describe the reliability and utility of source information.
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Analyse and interpret data and produces relevant statistics to describe and infer particular trends and patterns.
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Decide what data are needed to answer specific questions or help solve problems
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Determine methods for finding or collecting data
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Design surveys, experiments, or opinion polls to collect data
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Analyse data, market research and consumer feedback
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Report conclusions from analyses
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Predict demand for products or services
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Define precisely what is to be measured and decide which information to collect and from where
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Determine the size of the sample to be tested and how the sample will be selected
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Decide on the best method of collecting the information, whether by mail-out of questionnaires, experiments or survey interviews (telephone or face-to-face), and create associated measurement tools
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Ensure measurement resources are used efficiently
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Interpret data and produce relevant statistics to describe or infer particular trends and patterns
model and predict trends for phenomena such as accidents, pollution, disease outbreaks and economic trends -
Check the validity and reliability of statistical models used in applications
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Fit models using statistical computing environments and packages and develop, code and run statistical computer programmes
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Design experiments and trials to test new methods and products
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Evaluate the accuracy of the obtained information, represent data graphically and report findings
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Look at population trends and predict social trends
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Advise commerce, industry or government on trends
Working conditions
You would be based in an office and would travel to meetings, interviews or forums.
Tools and technologies
Statisticians use computers at all stages of their work, from the initial survey design right through to the interpretation and presentation of their findings. They frequently use specialised programs to assist in sorting and manipulating the data in order to better identify trends and understand the relationships between different factors.
Education and training/entrance
requirements
You need a bachelor degree in mathematics, econometrics,
statistics or another related field to work as a Statistician.
These areas of study may be undertaken within a mathematics, actuarial
studies, commerce, computer science, or economics degree, dependent on
the maths content within the degree.
To get into these courses you usually need to gain your senior secondary
school certificate or equivalent. English, mathematics, chemistry,
biology and physics would be appropriate subjects to study prior to
university.
It is also common to complete postgraduate studies.
Additional Information
Membership of the Statistical Society of Australia is available
Employment Opportunities
Employment of statisticians is projected to grow much faster
than the average for all occupations. Growth is expected to result from
more widespread use of data and statistical analyses to make informed
business, healthcare, and policy decisions.
Statisticians are employed in a wide variety of fields, including financial institutions, pharmaceutical companies, technology companies, large industries and major corporations. They also work in federal government departments, such as the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO). Depending on individual interests, statisticians work within both private and public sectors. Some work as statistical consultants to medical facilities (both research and clinical) and financial services organisations, such as superannuation funds, managed funds or major industries. It is also possible to find work with non-government organisations and research institutes. Most statisticians work in major cities.
Advancement to supervisory and higher management positions is possible for experienced and well-qualified statisticians.
Emerging
Job
Biostatisticians use scientific numerical collection methods to
assemble and analyse biological data for research.
Biostatistician studies links between biological problems and their
causes in humans, animals, agriculture and botany. They usually work
in medical research facilities, universities, hospitals,
pharmaceutical companies or government health departments, and use
statistical models to investigate risk factors for health problems.
Daily,
biostatisticians use stats on disease transmission, infection rates,
vaccine efficacy, and other related data to make decisions.
In short, biostatisticians apply mathematical and statistical
methodologies to essential questions in areas like medicine, public
health, environmental science, and other scientific fields related
to biology. Anytime you come across a well-researched statistic
related to illness, wellness, environmental impacts on humans,
animals, or plants, a biostatistician is almost certainly behind the
work that produced that information.
ANZSCO ID: 224113
Knowledge, skills and attributes
To become a biostatistician, you would need:
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excellent numerical skills
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a thorough understanding of medical practices
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good communication skills
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an analytical mind
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strong skills in data modelling and analysis
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the ability to use statistical software
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a methodical and logical approach
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planning and organisational skills.
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Did You Know? What is the difference between Epidemiology and Biostatistics?  Epidemiology is a health care discipline with an important distinction: The “patient” isn’t an individual, but rather an entire community or population. Specifically, epidemiology uses science, systems-thinking, and data to determine the underlying causes of different diseases and health outcomes in a population. Epidemiologists tend to focus on two areas: distribution and determination. Biostatistics is often considered in conjunction with epidemiology; though related, these disciplines aren’t the same. Biostatistics studies biological phenomena through the use of statistical modeling, methodologies and processes. The biostatistician may design a biological experiment, and then collect and interpret the data that the experiment yields. Biostatistics provides the foundation of much epidemiological research. In other words, epidemiologists often use biostatistical principles and methods to draw data-backed, mathematical conclusions about population health issues. Biostatistics is considered one of the foundational disciplines in public health. Specifically, biostatisticians conduct quantitative and qualitative research to help identify population health trends and risk factors. This work may involve several methodologies, including the following: Clinical trials Focus groups Surveys Case studies Field observation Laboratory experiments Through these and other methodologies, biostatisticians gather and analyze data, which may lead them to statistically significant conclusions about how different diseases originate or spread. These findings often provide clues as to how these diseases may be controlled, prevented or eradicated.  (Source: University of Nevada) |
Duties and Tasks
As a biostatistician, you would:
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decide what biological data is needed to answer specific questions or help solve problems
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determine methodology for collecting data
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assist in designing experiments or clinical trials to collect data
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analyse data and patient or client feedback to draw conclusions
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report conclusions from analyses
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predict demand for products or treatments
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look at population health trends and predict future trends
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interprete and communicate any findings
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advise pharmacology companies, medical practitioners or government on trends
Working conditions
As a biostatistician you would usually work a standard number of
hours per week, with overtime as necessary to meet project
deadlines.
You would typically be based in an office and would travel to
meetings, interviews or forums, sometimes in medical settings.
Tools and technologies
Biostatisticians use computers at all stages of their work, from the initial survey design right through to the interpretation and presentation of their findings. They frequently use specialised programs to assist in sorting and manipulating the data in order to better identify trends and understand the relationships between different factors.
Education and training/entrance requirements
To become a biostatistician you usually have to study a degree in
medical science, mathematics or public health followed by a
postgraduate qualification in biostatistics, medical statistics,
public health or epidemiology at university.
To get into these courses you usually need to gain your senior
secondary school certificate or equivalent. English, mathematics,
chemistry, biology and physics would be appropriate subjects to
study prior to university.
Employment Opportunities
Employment of biostatisticians is projected to grow much faster than
the average for all occupations.
Growth is expected to result from increased use of technology to
gather medical data and undertake statistical analyses to be used in
medical research, mapping of population health trends, vaccine and
drug production and increasingly in biomedical equipment
manufacturing.
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Sports Statistics Star Dr Stephanie Kovalchik CAMEO  Dr Stephanie is currently a Research Fellow within IHES and holds a joint appointment at Tennis Australia, where she works as a data scientist for the Game Intelligence Group. Stephanie’s area of expertise is statistics. She received her PhD from UCLA, where she focused on multi-level modelling, prediction, and risk assessment. Stephanie has held appointments as a statistical researcher at the National Cancer Institute and the RAND Corporation, where she developed new statistical methods for handling complex health science data. While working in the health sciences, Stephanie was also conducting quantitative research in tennis. In her current role at ISEAL and Tennis Australia, she is working on advancing tennis analytics. She is involved with various projects using data analysis to help understand performance in tennis and has particular interest in identifying patterns of performance, patterns of development and measuring the mental side of tennis. Dr Stephanie Kovalchik got her start in sport statistics from behind her keyboard while watching the tennis on TV. With a Bachelor of Science, Master’s degree and PhD in Biostatistics under her belt, Stephanie was working in traditional biostatistics research roles. But at night, she would work on her passion project; mapping out stats-backed answers to some of tennis’ big questions. In 2016 she turned her side hustle into her day job, and now Stephanie works with tennis statistics every day. “There’s so much data available that can help us address questions like how the sport is structured, or to help give players and coaches a competitive edge.” Day-to-day, Stephanie uses maths processes like statistical modelling, Bayes’ Theorem (which shows how to update probabilities with new information), and machine learning to quantify things like how a player’s physicality might affect their performance. “It’s good to have a background in foundational maths, algebra and calculus to work in statistics,” says Stephanie, but she wasn’t always maths’ biggest fan. It was only when she was put into the highest class in Year 7 that Stephanie realised, “I must have had a talent I didn’t appreciate.” Tennis, however, has always been a passion, and spending time on the court even helps her to do her job better. “Knowing what it feels like to hit a ball helps to inform your research,” she says. “I love the sport so it doesn’t really feel like work.” Stephanie’s career path >> Bachelor of Science (Biology/Literature), California Institute of Technology >> Master’s degree in Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles >> PhD in Biostatistics, University of California, Los Angeles >> Senior Data Scientist, Tennis Australia & Research Fellow at the Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University Latest Articles by Dr. Stephanie from The Conversation
Material sourced from Victoria University Careers with STEM |
Related Jobs or Working with these Jobs
Actuary |
Biometrician |
Data Analyst |
Demographer |
Epidemiologist |
Mathematician |
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CareersOnline [Statistician; ]
Online Degrees [Biostatistician; ]
CareerHQ [Biostatistician; Statistician; ]
Deakin University [Eight Surprising Spring Racing Jobs; ]
Your Career [Statistician; ]
