What is the Stats Helpdesk?
The Stats Helpdesk is a resource currently offered free of charge to Georgia Tech faculty, researchers, and students. It provides one-on-one and group consultations for statistical questions at any stage of the research process—from planning a study, to analyzing data, to presenting results. Whether you are preparing a poster, writing a paper, or designing a project, the Helpdesk is here to support your statistical needs.
What is Offered?
Before Data Collection
- Assistance in formulating research questions into testable hypotheses
- Guidance on selecting variables, determining sample size, and assessing statistical power
During Data Collection
- Review of data collection methods to ensure alignment with research objectives
- Recommendations for improving data collection approaches if needed
After Data Collection
- Suggestions for appropriate statistical methods to test hypotheses
- Guidance on hypothesis testing and model selection
- Support in interpreting statistical results
- Review of statistical reports for clarity and accuracy
Note: General guidance is typically provided without reviewing code. Assistance with code is limited to:
- Data Cleaning/Trimming (handling missing data, outliers)
- Code Writing/Modification (debugging scripts, writing custom functions)
Preparing for Your Appointment
You are welcome to drop in for brainstorming sessions. If you have a specific issue, please be ready to discuss the following during your consultation to ensure a productive session:
Goals of Your Consultation
- What challenges are you facing in your statistical analysis?
- Are you preparing for a presentation, poster session, or paper?
- What is the expected expertise of your audience?
- Are you focusing on hypothesis testing, exploratory analysis, or interpretation?
Research Hypothesis
- What is your primary research question and hypothesis?
- What are your independent and dependent variables?
- Are there any confounding variables to consider?
Data & Tools
- How is your dataset structured (rows, columns, key variables)?
- What are the variables of interest, their types, and coding?
- What statistical software are you using (e.g., R, SPSS, Python, JAGS, BUGS)?
Having these details in mind will help guide our discussion and make the most of our time together.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Who can use the Stats Helpdesk?
The Helpdesk is open to all Georgia Tech students, faculty, and researchers. Priority is given to psychology-related projects.
Do I need to make an appointment?
Yes—appointments are required to receive a full 45-minute session. Please come prepared with:
- A clear statement of your research problem
- Your dataset or a summary of its structure (if applicable)
- Any figures, tables, or drafts you’d like feedback on
What if I don’t have data yet?
That’s fine! Brainstorming sessions are welcome. We can help you plan your study, develop hypotheses, choose variables, and calculate required sample size.
Can I bring a group?
Yes. Team consultations are welcome, especially for lab projects or classwork.
Can you help with my thesis or dissertation?
Absolutely. The Helpdesk is a great place to check methods, interpret findings, or get feedback on your reporting.
What tools are supported?
Support is available for:
- R
- SPSS
- Python (for statistical modeling)
- JAGS/BUGS
Location
JS Coon Building (School of Psychology), Room G53C, Georgia Tech or via Teams meeting
Hours
- Mondays, 12:00–2:00 PM (in person & remote)
- Tuesdays, 1:00–2:00 PM (remote only)
- Available during regular semesters; hours may vary by semester.
Appointments
- Bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance
- Sessions are 45 minutes
- Book here: Book time with Kim, Eunbee: Stats Helpdesk
About the Consultant
Eunbee Kim
- Academic Professional, School of Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology
- Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology, Georgia Institute of Technology
- M.A. & B.A. in Psychology, Yonsei University