Friday, May 23, 2014

Methods of efficiency

I'm convinced that micro-level behaviors, habits, and actions are just as important to becoming a productive researcher as having big ideas. I've been working on improving those things over the past year. You could call these things the "methods of doing research work" but many apply to other kinds of creative work, technical work, and project management. We don't talk about them a lot in professional circles because they're not the big/sexy ideas that change the world in one fell swoop. However, they are the mitochondria of our research cells, and I think we should share tips and tricks like this much more often for the larger benefit of the field.

My wife and I had breakfast with our friends Mario and Ana this past week and we barely got to share personal stories because we were sharing efficiency tips and tricks the whole time. Here are two pieces of software I've come to love (M & A, one is the thing I couldn't recall the name of and another I just found this week). Both reduce the keying/mousing you have to do, which seems small but adds up. Autohotkey lets you program scripts and macros for any key combination or mouse movement so is VERY versatile and great for be jobs that require repeated key/mouse movements. Breevy (just started using today) lets you record keyboard shortcuts and text-expansion phrases like you can do in Word with Autocomplete/correct, but works across all programs in Windows. Sure beats programming specific kb shortcuts within individual programs.

Mention other favorites if you have them.

Job Opening at NASS

I'm not sure I'm brazen enough to believe that my blog reaches more people than the SRMS and AAPOR listservs, but I thought I'd post this NASS job opening to help out a colleague. NASS has always seemed like a fun and innovative place to me. And the federal home of Likert of course :)

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Hello all,

We are looking to fill a senior level mathematical statistician position.  It will be a great opportunity for the right person.

The description is below, and the job will be open for applications until June 5.  Please pass along to any other interested candidates.  Thanks!


The U.S.D.A.’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is searching for a senior mathematical statistician (ST-1529-00) who will serve as the Research and Development Division’s Deputy Director for Science and Planning. The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is the data collection and dissemination arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. NASS gathers and publishes a vast array of information on every facet of U.S. agriculture, including production, economics, demographics, and the environment. The incumbent serves NASS as a research statistician in mathematical statistics for agricultural surveys and censuses, geospatial techniques, statistical modeling for estimation and process measurement. Primary qualifications include a senior science degree of technical skill in mathematical statistics and probability sampling, especially in the area of geospatial analyses, model-based estimators, and non-sampling errors. Research activities include advanced survey sampling design and estimation methods and theory; geospatial estimation methods and theory; measurement error models; nonsampling error models; list, area and multiple frame sampling methods and theory; forecasting techniques; statistical modeling for estimation; and multivariate and quality control methods. The incumbent will lead teams of mathematical statisticians and serves in research management and science leadership by advising the Administrator of NASS, Director of Research and Development Division and Director of the Statistical Methodology on statistical issues and methodology affecting NASS programs. The incumbent’s research efforts will be focused about 90 percent internally, on improving the Agency’s census and survey estimation programs and research, and about 10 percent split between liaison activities with the statistical community as a whole and reimbursable consulting with external entities. More information on the position and how to apply may be found using the following link: https://www.usajobs.gov/GetJob/ViewDetails/370711100




Jaki S. McCarthy
Senior Cognitive Research Methodologist
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Serivce
Research and Development Division

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

New blog name

I decided to change my blog name today (same URL...no worries). No one said they were offended by the "meth addict" joke, but I figured I should change it if I want this to be my "official" professional blog. For the record, here is the text that I had as a footer to the title when it was named "Diary of a Meth Addict"...just to show that although I have a dark sense of humor sometimes, I'm a sensitive guy.

"This blog discusses survey methodology, statistical methodology and social science research. It does not discuss addictions to methamphetamine or other drugs. If you or a loved one is dealing with that kind of meth addiction, you may find help at the site linked here "

In one last attempt at potentially-inappropriate humor, here are some helpful resources in case you or a loved one is dealing with my kind of meth addiction.

http://surveyresearch.uconn.edu/
http://psm.isr.umich.edu/
http://si.isr.umich.edu/
http://www.jpsm.umd.edu/
http://sram.unl.edu/
http://www.uic.edu/cuppa/pa/srm/



Friday, May 9, 2014

Summer online course in Methods of Data Collection

My online Methods of Data Collection course at UConn is short on students, and the program will decide next week (week of 5-11) whether to run it or drop it. It's scheduled to run June 2 - Aug 8. If you're interested, please contact diane.clokey@uconn.edu to register. Please share with colleagues, students and friends. Thanks.

Course Descrption

PP 5397 H02 – class #2133 -- Methods of Data Collection, Dr. Matthew Jans
This course explores the many challenges of survey data collection, and highlights points in the data collection process where survey error can be introduced (intentionally or unintentionally). Using the Total Survey Error framework and supporting that framework with contemporary and classical research findings, you will learn how to evaluate potential survey errors related to various methods of data collection. The course goal is to help you become a savvy consumer and designer of survey research. Along the way you will learn about new techniques and facets of survey methodology, but this is not a "how to" course. Rather than learning one or two ways to design a questionnaire or a sample, you will learn and practice methods for assessing the quality of survey data and survey designs. This kind of training is rare, but it will prepare you to work in a variety of survey research jobs, whether you are more of a statistician or more of a social scientist, and whether your interests are on the academic side or the applied side of our field. We will cover the full range of data collection components and error sources, including coverage,sampling, nonresponse, and measurement. Mode effects and interviewer effects will be studied, and there will be lessons that focus specifically on paradata and web surveys.