Consultancy Style Dissertations in Statistics and Data Science: Why and How

Figures & data

Table 1: Marking descriptors for the question “Can the report be presented to the client?”

Grade	Descriptor
A1: 90–100%	The report could be presented to the client or collaborator without revision. The analysis is sound so that conclusions are well supported statistically. Interpretation is mature. The project demonstrates a clear overview of the work, without getting lost in details, and is free of all but the most minor statistical errors, not altering the conclusions. The report clearly links the statistical analysis to the practical problem/application, including the limitations of the analysis.
A2: 80–89%	The report could be presented to the client or collaborator with little or no revision. The analysis is sound so that conclusions are well supported statistically. Interpretation is reasonably mature. The project demonstrates a clear overview of the work, without getting lost in details, and is free of all but minor statistical errors. The report clearly links the statistical analysis to the practical problem/application, including the limitations of the analysis.
A3: 70–79%	The report could be presented to the client or collaborator with little revision. The analysis is sound so that conclusions are well supported statistically. Interpretation is mostly reasonably mature. The project demonstrates a clear overview of the work, without getting lost in details, and is free of all but minor statistical errors.
B: 60–69%	The project could be presented to the client or collaborator after a round of revision, but without having to redo much of the actual analysis. Some flaws in the analysis or presentation (or minor flaws in both), but it is basically sound. A good grasp of the statistics and context, so that interpretation is reasonable.
C: 50–59%	Major reworking required before the project could be presented, but containing some sound statistics demonstrating understanding of statistical modeling and its application. Reasonable presentation and organization.
D: 40–49%	Major flaws in analysis and presentation, but demonstrating some understanding of statistics, and a reasonable attempt to present the results.
E–H: $<40$%	Flawed analysis demonstrating little or no understanding of statistics, and/or incomprehensible or badly organized presentation.

Table 2: Students’ responses to six questions on the quality of the dissertations.

	Disagree	Neither agree nor disagree	Agree
1. The dissertation has been intellectually challenging.	6.25%	6.25%	87.5%
2. The dissertation has developed my skills and abilities.	12.5%	0%	87.5%
3. The dissertation has given me a good idea of what statisticians and data scientists do.	12.5%	0%	87.5%
4. The amount of available supervision was satisfactory.	25%	18.75%	56.25%
5. The type of hybrid (online/on-campus) supervision was satisfactory.	25%	37.5%	37.5%
6. Overall I am satisfied with the quality of the dissertation course.	18.75%	12.5%	68.75%