The Professional Statistician

Abstract

Any statistician needs to combine deduction and induction: strong systematic thinking (often based on non-trivial mathematics) together with an open-minded ability to listen and adapt. Both cerebral hemispheres are in play for the professional statistician. This makes clear definitions elusive and inhibits any formal teaching of how to be a good consultant. But we can distinguish a strong statistician from a weak one when we see them, can we not? And should we formalize this?