Statistical assistant

Statistical assistants collect data and use statistical formulas to execute statistical studies and create reports. They create charts, graphs and surveys.

A statistical assistant typically does the following:

• Gathers and compiles statistics from a variety of source materials, which may include production and sales records, quality control and test records, time sheets, and survey responses.
• Verifies accuracy of source data.
• Enters data for use in reports and/or analyses.
• Identifies appropriate statistical tests to properly analyze data.
• Applies statistical formulas and software applications to compile and analyze data.
• Gathers and/or compiles graphs, charts, and reports that interpret and describe the conclusions of analyses.
• Prepares print reports and other documentation for distribution or analysis. Executes additional administrative duties.

The following job titles also refer to statistical assistant:

information technology expert
statistician’s assistant
statistician assistant
statistical report compiler
statistician
admin assistant
statistics assistant
administrative assistant
IT expert
computer expert
report compiler
statistics compiler

Most statistical assistants work from thirty-five to forty hours per week in a variety of settings. Some assistants work on shipping platforms, while others work in offices, railroad yards, and computer centers.

Statistical assistants often perform repetitive tasks. They may be under pressure to work quickly yet accurately in their calculations.

An individual must have a high school education to be hired as a statistical assistant. Employers look for people who have taken high school courses in business math, bookkeeping, and business applications software.

A person will receive on-the-job training in procedures used by the company after he or she is hired. The length of time needed to learn how to be a statistical assistant varies depending on the chosen field. Most employers train inexperienced assistants to use calculators, hand-held computers, and computer programs such as spreadsheets.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

Statistical assistant is a Skill level 3 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to statistical assistant.

actuarial assistant
meteorology technician
physics technician
call centre analyst
field survey manager

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of statistical assistant. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of statistical assistant with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

statistician
mathematician
biometrician
demographer
bioinformatics scientist

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of statistical assistant.

• Mathematics: Mathematics is the study of topics such as quantity, structure, space, and change. It involves the identification of patterns and formulating new conjectures based on them. Mathematicians strive to prove the truth or falsity of these conjectures. There are many fields of mathematics, some of which are widely used for practical applications.
• Statistics: The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.
• Statistical analysis system software: Specific software system (SAS) used for advanced analytics, business intelligence, data management, and predictive analytics.

These skills are necessary for the role of statistical assistant.

• Identify statistical patterns: Analyse statistical data in order to find patterns and trends in the data or between variables.
• Gather data: Extract exportable data from multiple sources.
• Perform data analysis: Collect data and statistics to test and evaluate in order to generate assertions and pattern predictions, with the aim of discovering useful information in a decision-making process.
• Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
• Apply statistical analysis techniques: Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
• Think analytically: Produce thoughts using logic and reasoning in order to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
• Apply scientific methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
• Conduct quantitative research: Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
• Write work-related reports: Compose work-related reports that support effective relationship management and a high standard of documentation and record keeping. Write and present results and conclusions in a clear and intelligible way so they are comprehensible to a non-expert audience.
• Write technical reports: Compose technical customer reports understandable for people without technical background.
• Process data: Enter information into a data storage and data retrieval system via processes such as scanning, manual keying or electronic data transfer in order to process large amounts of data.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of statistical assistant. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Algorithms: The self-contained step-by-step sets of operations that carry out calculations, data processing and automated reasoning, usually to solve problems.
• Survey techniques: Techniques on how to identify a target audience, choose the right survey method and analyse the data.
• Data quality assessment: The process of revealing data issues using ​quality indicators, measures and metrics in order to plan data cleansing and data enrichment strategies according to data quality criteria.
• Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of statistical assistant. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

• Produce statistical financial records: Review and analyse individual and company financial data in order to produce statistical reports or records.
• Conduct financial surveys: Conduct the procedures of a financial survey from the initial formulation and compilation of the questions, identifying the target audience, managing the survey method and operations, managing the processing of acquired data, to analysing the results.
• Manage database: Apply database design schemes and models, define data dependencies, use query languages and database management systems (DBMS) to develop and manage databases.
• Analyse big data: Collect and evaluate numerical data in large quantities, especially for the purpose of identifying patterns between the data.
• Develop financial statistics reports: Create financial and statistical reports based on collected data which are to be presented to managing bodies of an organisation.
• Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations.
• Conduct public surveys: Conduct the procedures of a public survey from the initial formulation and compilation of the questions, identifying the target audience, managing the survey method and operations, managing the processing of acquired data, and analysing the results.
• Perform clerical duties: Perform administrative tasks such as filing, typing up reports and maintaining mail correspondence.
• Carry out statistical forecasts: Undertake a systematic statistical examination of data representing past observed behaviour of the system to be forecast, including observations of useful predictors outside the system.
• Deliver visual presentation of data: Create visual representations of data such as charts or diagrams for easier understanding.
• Revise questionnaires: Read, analyse, and provide feedback on the accuracy and adequacy of questionnaires and their assessment fashion taking into account its purpose.
• Assist scientific research: Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.
• Compile statistical data for insurance purposes: Produce statistics on potential risks such as natural and technical disasters and production downtimes.
• Tabulate survey results: Collate and organise the answers gathered in interviews or polls in order to be analysed and draw conclusions from them.
• Design questionnaires: Study the objectives of the research and imprint those aims into the design and development of questionnaires.

3314 – Statistical, mathematical and related associate professionals

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References

1. Statistical assistant – ESCO
2. Statistical Assistant – SHRM
3. Statistical Assistant Job Description – StateUniversity.com