Stats What I’m Talking About
University days
- Bachelor of Science (Statistics and Economics), University of WA
- Bachelor of Arts (Sports Studies), University of Canberra
- Doctor of Business Administration (postponed)
Time spent teaching
- Maths/Stats Lecturer/Tutor, University of Canberra, 1992-97
- Maths Teacher, Canberra Institute of Technology, 1993-97
- Statistics Tutor, Murdoch University, 2000-03
- Statistics Tutor, University of WA, 2000-03, 2015-20
- Statistics Tutor, Curtin University, 2018-current
- Postgraduate Lecturer, University of WA Business School’s MBA/Masters Program, 2000-17 (including Excellence in Teaching Award in 2007 and various other nominations)
Available services
- Data Analysis using Excel or R-Studio statistical packages, summarised with a written Word report
- Group Seminars, including senior management at the City of Melville (Local Government Area) and Perth leadership consultants Integral Development
- Tutorials for those studying data analysis at a Business Masters level or first-year university statistics (I also teach introductory calculus)
Statistical philosophy
While I enjoy the theoretical and formulaic side of statistics, I accept most people think of the discipline as “sadistics” (just as many regards mathematics as “masochistics”). My extensive teaching experience at five Australian tertiary institutions has assisted me in pitching statistics at the appropriate level for different audiences, whether it be individual students, university classes, organisational seminars or written reports.
In this “computer age”, statistics are far more available to the average person. One only has to look at cricket and football (AFL) telecasts to see how rapidly the profile of statistics has escalated in recent years. As such, people really only need to know what various data values mean and not how they’re calculated.
On some occasions, you may just want a series of graphs and tables to succinctly display data. The old cliché “a picture is worth a thousand words” rings true. Other times you may require a more detailed analysis of the data, including prediction and forecasting. My journalism, creative writing and teaching backgrounds, combined with experience using statistical packages, enable me to prepare readable and user-friendly reports.
At the tertiary level, I believe the best way like to instil data analysis and statistics students with confidence is to highlight practical problems – whether they relate to business, the humanities, science or sport – and demonstrate how they can be solved using statistics.
Service fees
- Data Analysis: $50 per hour
- Group Seminars: $200 per hour
- Tutorials: Individual – $50 per hour; Pairs – $30 per hour per person; Groups of three-plus – $20 per hour per person (complimentary email advice provided to those who employ my services)
However, all fees are negotiable. Rather than pay an hourly rate for my services, you may prefer a fixed fee which I can arrange.