Q:  Where is the RStats Institute located? 

  A:  We are located on the lower level in the Park Central Office Building (PCOB), on the Downtown Square.  The shuttle service stops right outside PCOB.  After entering the Park Central Office Building lobby, look for the stairs and an elevator at the northwest corner of the lobby area.  Proceed to the lower level and you will see the RStats signs. 

Q:  When is the RStats Institute open?

  A:  RStats hours for Fall 2008 are Tuesday: 10-2 Thursday: 10-2; and by appointment.  During open hours, the institute is staffed by graduate assistants. Open hours are held only on days when regular classes are in session.

Q:  How much do RStats professional development workshops cost, and who can attend? 

  A:  RStats professional development workshops are free and open to the entire campus community.

Q: How do I enroll in an RStats professional development workshop?

  A: You can register for a workshop from the links on the RStats home page.  Workshops are hands-on experiences so register early to assure a seat.    

Q:  How much do RStats individual consulting sessions cost, and who can receive individual consulting services?

  A:  The RStats Institute individual consulting services are free and available on a first-come, first-serve basis to all MSU faculty, staff, and students in the colleges of Health and Human Services and Education who are doing faculty-directed academic research. There is no user fee for services.

Q:  Why are individual consulting sessions offered only in two colleges?

  A:  During its pilot year, RStats is supported by the offices of the Provost and the Dean of Health and Human Services. This provides a limited amount of reassigned time from regular faculty responsibilities for the four founding RStats faculty associates.  Our goal is to use this time to shape a workable model for an internal statistics consulting institute at MSU, with the long-range goal of expanding the services the institute can offer if demand exists and the pilot year is successful. 

Q:  What assistance is offered in the individual consulting sessions?

  A:  RStats associates provide assistance with:  

• Research Design - help scholars conceptualize a research project and determine the appropriate research design to use to answer particular questions. It is highly recommended that consulting occur early in the planning stages
• Power Analysis - help scholars to estimate the number of participants they need to conduct their research and effectively test their hypothesis
• Data Management – provide help and tutorials for scholars on how to use SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences) to manage large data sets, and create aggregate variables
• Data Entry - help scholars to set up their data base using SPSS (Statistical Package for the Social Sciences).  Note: RStats ability to provide actual data entry services will depend upon the availability of student assistance
• Statistical Analyses – help with univariate analyses such as correlations, t-tests and analysis of variance (ANOVA) multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), multiple regression, logistic regression and structural equation modeling (SEM)
• Manuscript/Grant Preparation and Revision – assist with the statistical portions of manuscript/grant preparation and revisions following APA and NIH guidelines. In addition, after manuscript submission, RStats associates can provide guidance on how to revise the results section according to reviewers’ comments.
   

Q:  Will an RStats consultant expect to become a co-author on my published research?

  A:    If the consultant’s intellectual contribution to a manuscript is substantial – RStats associates will follow NIH’s suggestions for authorship -- co-authorship could be warranted.  Each instance will be evaluated on an individual basis. This discussion should take place as early in the consulting process as possible and should be agreed upon in writing.  In instances in which the statistical consulting services do not warrant an authorship role for the consultant, written expressions of acknowledgement and appreciation for the contributions of the RStats associate are encouraged!

Q:  What if I am writing a grant and expect an RStats associate to assist me with statistical analyses? 

  A:  Funding for the work to be completed by RStats consulting staff member(s) should be written into grant proposals.  The hourly cost assigned to the project must be approved by the RStats Institute Director prior to grant proposal submission.

Q:  Does RStats accept contract work or conduct statistical analyses for clients external to MSU?

  A:  At this time, resources do not permit RStats to offer services external to MSU. 

Q:  How do I request an individual consulting session?

  A:  Complete the Request a Consultation form and complete and submit the form electronically.  An RStats associate will contact you to arrange your consultation.  Students who are requesting a consultation must be accompanied by a sponsoring faculty member to the initial and the closing consulting session. 

Q:  What should I expect during an individual consultation?

  A:   You will be consulting on your research project in a one-on-one environment with an RStats faculty associate and may also be working with RStats student associates.  The initial consultation will generally be scheduled for one hour, and follow-up sessions will be scheduled as needed, for up to five hours of consulting time.  There will also be a closing consulting session where a summary of the work done will be discussed.  This session could also last up to one hour. 

Q:  How should I prepare for my initial session with an RStats consultant?

  A:  You should prepare for your initial session with a consultant by organizing your thoughts or your actual research materials, depending on the where you are in the research process.  You may want to: 

• Write up a brief summary of the questions you hope to answer in your research project
• Outline some of your hypotheses – what do you expect to find?
• Make copies of the research materials to provide to the consultant (i.e., questionnaires, research proposals, manuscript drafts, IRB approvals)
• Organize and bring copies of any analyses that have already been conducted on your data
• Come prepared to provide any/all information that will help the RStats consultant to understand your project so that you can receive optimal guidance

Q:  What if my research project requires more than five hours of consulting time? 

  A:  You may receive more than five hours of consulting time in special cases.  Extended consulting time is offered only if resources permit and requires approval by the RStats Institute director.   RStats will also maintain a waiting list if the demand for consulting services is greater than our ability to immediately provide the services.  Once you have used five hours of consulting time, you will be placed at the bottom of the waiting list and can receive additional consulting after other clients on the list have been served. 

Q: Will an RStats associate come to teach my class?

A: RStats associates do not go to classes and teach research topics. Instead, faculty and students should check the RStats website for workshops that are best suited to their needs and register for those.