Become a Statistic (-ally trained professional)

A bad rap Liars, Damned Liars, Statisticians! Statistics means never having to say you’re certain… Figures don’t lie, but liars sure figure… Statisticians are dull and colourless…

Go figure…

Myths about Statistics Statistics is dull and useless Statistics is critical to good science, because it enables us to make decisions in the presence of random occurrences, and helps us to understand complex data structures. As we look into a future where our lives are inundated with data, those who are equipped to make sense of the information surrounding them will be VERY popular!  

Statistics is hard to understand Another Myth Statistics is hard to understand Not really. In fact, a lot of statistics is just plain commonsense. Statistics is about making decisions in the face of uncertainty. Isn’t that what you do every day? Want to know how to do it properly???

Another Myth Statistics = Maths Yes, statistics is based on mathematics, but the analysis of data is an art as well as a science, and must incorporate “real world” information in a way that a closed, mathematical system sometimes can’t. Models are at best approximations to reality.

Another Myth Liars, Damned Liars, Statisticians Bad statistics, like bad people, can cause “lies”, or misrepresentations of the truth. But good statistics is about discovering the truth. Statistics is a tool that helps us explain the world. Like many tools, if it falls into the wrong hands, disaster can result.

Another (last one…) Myth Statistics = Data You’ll often hear “statistics” quoted in the newspaper. Actually, what is being quoted is data, or basic summary information. Statistics is about interpreting the information.

Now some truths… Statistics pervades all of science (life!) Science is about making sense of our world. But so much of what happens in the world is subject to random fluctuations, and statistics is about understanding those fluctuations and making predictions.

More truth Statistics is relevant for YOUR life Understanding our world means interpreting data! Is climate change real? If so, how can we understand this complex system? Statistics can help! A lot of government policy is based on correctly interpreting information obtained through sampling. How do governments use this information? Statistics! Statistics improves the quality of our lives: statistical analyses carried out by drug companies give the companies the evidence they need to bring new drugs to market. While it is true that statistics alone will not cure cancer or HIV, once a potential cure is discovered, statistics will be instrumental in convincing health authorities to make the cure available, and will help the drug companies assess the severity and likelihood of nasty side effects.

Even more truth If you have data, then you need statistics Lots of people, some of them respected scientists, think that statistics is not really necessary to do good science. Unfortunately for them, this is complete rubbish. Without at least an elementary understanding of the ideas behind statistics, horrible mistakes can be made in assessing even simple-looking data. The history of science is littered with examples of bad decisions being made because someone interpreted their data in a naïve, uncritical way. No matter what area of science you come from, you can’t ignore statistics! Oh, and WE ALL HAVE DATA THESE DAYS… LOTS OF IT…

The B.Stat. Only named Statistics degree in Australia Basic structure: Theoretical Core (Mathematical Statistics, Stochastic Processes, Inference) Applied Core (Regression Modelling, Experimental Design, Graphics)

Specialisations Applied Probability Statistical Methodology Business Statistics Econometrics Financial Statistics Psychological Research Methods Sociological Research Methods

Become… Statistician Data Analyst Biostatistician Probabilist Just about anything* * With probability 0.95

Work… Anywhere!! From banks and biotechs to pharmaceuticals and Google, and everywhere in between, the demand for people who understand and can model data is HUGE.

Harvard Business Review WetFeet CIO Magazine

New York Times

statistics.com

indeed.com

How to get in… 2017: We don’t know yet… (uncertainty again!) But on the basis that past data can be used to predict the future… past entry requirements* were: UAI / ENTER / TER 86 QLD Band 8 International Baccalaureate 31 * From http://programsandcourses.anu.edu.au/2016/program/BSTAT

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