Statistics computing laboratory

Abstract

The utility of Statistical Science to a vast range of disciplines, from biological and agricultural sciences,through medical science, education research, and social sciences, is evident by the plethora in a typical university of service subjects variously labelled ‘Data Analysis’, ‘Statistics’, ‘Quantitative Methods’, or ‘Research Methods’. Although there have been considerable advances in computing and graphics technologies, many statistics service subjects have merely grafted these innovations into a traditional curriculum. Statistics Computing Laboratory has been created ab initio, mindful of the requirements of client disciplines, of the background of the students, and of the opportunities provided by modern computing technologies. This paper discusses the curriculum design and pedagogy, and evaluates the Statistics Computing Laboratory paradigm.