The Practice of Statistics: The Real World is an Idea Whose Time Has Come

TLDR: This article identified three consulting roles: helper, leader, and colleague, and suggested that statistical consultants regard their primary responsibility as providing guidance about the scientific method itself, and discussed the need for continuing education to help improve consulting skills.

Abstract: This article identifies three consulting roles—helper, leader, and colleague; recommends that statistical consultants ask more questions about basic mechanisms; suggests that statistical consultants regard their primary responsibility as providing guidance about the scientific method itself; discusses the need for continuing education to help improve consulting skills; and describes Wisconsin's Master's degree examination, which was designed to help students become effective practicing statisticians.