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Biostatisticians Occupation Detailed Description

Biostatisticians career

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Biostatisticians

The main tasks and work activities of Biostatisticians are to prepare analytical reports, prepare graphics or other visual representations of information, prepare data for analysis, analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables. In general, for the Biostatisticians, mathematics, critical Thinking, reading Comprehension, active Listening and other 17 skills are required.
Biostatisticians Job Description
EducationMost of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
Related ExperienceExtensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
Job TrainingEmployees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
ExampleThese occupations often involve coordinating, training, supervising, or managing the activities of others to accomplish goals. Very advanced communication and organizational skills are required. Examples include pharmacists, lawyers, astronomers, biologists, clergy, neurologists, and veterinarians.
The following chart shows the education/training levels for Biostatisticians jobs.
Less than a High School Diploma
0.00%
High School Diploma (or the equivalent)
0.00%
Post-Secondary Certificate
0.00%
Some College Courses
0.00%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
5.00%
Bachelor's Degree and Above
95.00%

Tasks and Work Activities of Biostatisticians

  • Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
  • Process large amounts of data for statistical modeling and graphic analysis, using computers.
  • Identify relationships and trends in data, as well as any factors that could affect the results of research.
  • Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
  • Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.
  • Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
  • Evaluate sources of information to determine any limitations, in terms of reliability or usability.
  • Plan data collection methods for specific projects and determine the types and sizes of sample groups to be used.
  • Design research projects that apply valid scientific techniques and use information obtained from baselines or historical data to structure uncompromised and efficient analyses.
  • Supervise and provide instructions for workers collecting and tabulating data.
  • Apply sampling techniques or use complete enumeration bases to determine and define groups to be surveyed.
  • Adapt statistical methods to solve specific problems in many fields, such as economics, biology, and engineering.
  • Develop and test experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods.
  • Examine theories, such as those of probability and inference, to discover mathematical bases for new or improved methods of obtaining and evaluating numerical data.
  • Report results of statistical analyses in peer-reviewed papers and technical manuals.
  • Develop software applications or programming to use for statistical modeling and graphic analysis.
  • Present statistical and nonstatistical results, using charts, bullets, and graphs, in meetings or conferences to audiences such as clients, peers, and students.
  • Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
  • Prepare and structure data warehouses for storing data.
  • Write research proposals or grant applications for submission to external bodies.
  • Interacting With ComputersUsing computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.
  • Analyzing Data or InformationIdentifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.
  • Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
  • Interpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersTranslating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
  • Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
  • Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
  • Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
  • Updating and Using Relevant KnowledgeKeeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Provide Consultation and Advice to OthersProviding guidance and expert advice to management or other groups on technical, systems-, or process-related topics.
  • Thinking CreativelyDeveloping, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Prepare analytical reports.
  • Prepare graphics or other visual representations of information.
  • Prepare data for analysis.
  • Analyze data to identify trends or relationships among variables.
  • Evaluate data quality.
  • Determine appropriate methods for data analysis.
  • Evaluate project designs to determine adequacy or feasibility.
  • Design research studies to obtain scientific information.
  • Supervise information technology personnel.
  • Apply mathematical principles or statistical approaches to solve problems in scientific or applied fields.
  • Update knowledge about emerging industry or technology trends.
  • Train others in computer interface or software use.
  • Develop detailed project plans.
  • Assign duties or work schedules to employees.
  • Monitor operational activities to ensure compliance with regulations or standard operating procedures.
  • Design computer modeling or simulation programs.
  • Develop scientific or mathematical models.
  • Create databases to store electronic data.
  • Analyze health-related data.
  • Communicate project information to others.

Skills and Abilities for Biostatisticians

  • MathematicsUsing mathematics to solve problems.
  • Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
  • Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
  • Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
  • Complex Problem SolvingIdentifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
  • SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
  • Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
  • ScienceUsing scientific rules and methods to solve problems.
  • WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.
  • InstructingTeaching others how to do something.
  • Judgment and Decision MakingConsidering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
  • Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
  • MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
  • Management of Personnel ResourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, identifying the best people for the job.
  • Learning StrategiesSelecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.
  • CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
  • Time ManagementManaging one's own time and the time of others.
  • Systems EvaluationIdentifying measures or indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct performance, relative to the goals of the system.
  • Systems AnalysisDetermining how a system should work and how changes in conditions, operations, and the environment will affect outcomes.
  • ProgrammingWriting computer programs for various purposes.
  • Mathematical ReasoningThe ability to choose the right mathematical methods or formulas to solve a problem.
  • Number FacilityThe ability to add, subtract, multiply, or divide quickly and correctly.
  • Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).
  • Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
  • Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
  • Written ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in writing so others will understand.
  • Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Written ComprehensionThe ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.
  • Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
  • Information OrderingThe ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
  • Category FlexibilityThe ability to generate or use different sets of rules for combining or grouping things in different ways.
  • Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
  • Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
  • Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
  • Fluency of IdeasThe ability to come up with a number of ideas about a topic (the number of ideas is important, not their quality, correctness, or creativity).
  • Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
  • Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
  • VisualizationThe ability to imagine how something will look after it is moved around or when its parts are moved or rearranged.
  • OriginalityThe ability to come up with unusual or clever ideas about a given topic or situation, or to develop creative ways to solve a problem.
  • Speed of ClosureThe ability to quickly make sense of, combine, and organize information into meaningful patterns.
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Scannerse.g. Computer data input scanners
  • Laser printerse.g. Computer laser printers
  • Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Mainframe computerse.g. Mainframe computers
  • Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
  • Plotter printerse.g. Plotters
  • Portable data input terminalse.g. Handheld computers
  • Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
  • Mobile phonese.g. Smartphones
  • MathematicsKnowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
  • English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
  • Computers and ElectronicsKnowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
  • Medicine and DentistryKnowledge of the information and techniques needed to diagnose and treat human injuries, diseases, and deformities. This includes symptoms, treatment alternatives, drug properties and interactions, and preventive health-care measures.
  • Education and TrainingKnowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.