Have you ever felt like you’re not quite sure if the statistics being used in your workplace are reliable? I’m not alone. As someone who works in a pharmaceutical research company, I’ve been struggling to trust the statistics being used. And it’s not just me – my partner, who’s pursuing a PhD in statistics, has raised some serious concerns.
The issue is that there don’t seem to be many barriers in place to prevent bad statistics from being used. The most senior person on our team is very knowledgeable and well-versed in theory, but others seem to be self-taught and lack formal training in statistics. And to make matters worse, the training provided to new team members is often disorganized and inconsistent.
I want to do good statistics, and I don’t want to pick up bad habits early on. I’m interested in pursuing a PhD in statistics later on, but I’m not sure if I should stick with learning in the workplace or take the leap and learn in an academic institution. Is it better to learn statistics in a workplace where you can apply it directly, or in academia where you’ll be held to higher standards of quality?
The Pros of Learning in the Workplace
- Practical application: You can apply statistical concepts directly to real-world problems.
- Hands-on experience: You’ll get to work with data and see the impact of your work firsthand.
The Cons of Learning in the Workplace
- Lack of accountability: Without strict quality control, bad statistics can slip through the cracks.
- Inconsistent training: You may not receive comprehensive training, and what you do learn may not be reliable.
The Pros of Learning in Academia
- Higher standards: Academic institutions are held to high standards of quality, ensuring you learn rigorous statistics.
- Comprehensive training: You’ll receive thorough training in statistical theory and methodology.
The Cons of Learning in Academia
- Theoretical focus: Academic programs may focus more on theory than practical application.
- Time commitment: Pursuing a PhD is a significant time commitment.
So, what’s the right choice? Ultimately, it depends on your goals and priorities. If you want to apply statistics in a real-world setting and are willing to take the risk of potentially learning bad habits, the workplace might be the way to go. But if you want to ensure you’re learning rigorous, high-quality statistics and are willing to put in the time and effort, academia might be the better choice.
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*Further reading: What is Statistics?*