Melbourne Statistical Consulting Platform

Platform services are available to staff and graduate researchers from any discipline across the university. Consultants can provide one-on-one advice to assist with any stage of a quantitative research project from planning and data collection to analysis and reporting.

Our goal is to enhance your knowledge of statistical methods. You are strongly encouraged to see a consultant when you are planning your research project.  Platform consultants have a wealth of experience working on quantitative projects with industry, business, government and the academic community.

Who is eligible?

University of Melbourne staff and most University of Melbourne Graduate research students.
Graduate researchers can check eligibility.
Graduate diploma and Masters by coursework students, for example, are not eligible.

Graduate Researchers

Eligible Graduate Researchers can access up to 10 hours of free statistical advice across their candidature.
Additional support is available at a subsidised rate of $50 per hour.
Please be aware there can be up to a 4 week wait for the first consultation.
Platform consultants can provide advice on research projects, with an emphasis on education and training.
Consultants do not advise on coursework.
Supervisors need to download and sign the "Melbourne Statistical Consulting Platform" form before the first consultation.
A consultant may decline an appointment without a signed form.
Please bring the signed form to your first appointment. You can bring your laptop and data stored on a memory stick, if appropriate.
If you are ready to enter or analyse your data, you can prepare for your consultation by following these guidelines.
In finalising your thesis and preparing publications, please include appropriate acknowledgement of support provided by the Melbourne Statistical Consulting Platform.

To lodge an enquiry, please visit https://scc.ms.unimelb.edu.au/mscp-enquiry

Internal Staff

The Platform offers limited consulting services to University of Melbourne staff at discounted rates.
Rates vary according to consultant experience: contact Deb Maillardet for MSCP rates.
Payment can only be made through Themis; please provide details before your first consultation: Access the billing form.
Platform consultants can assist with all aspects of quantitative research including study design,  questionnaire design and data collection methods, choice of sample size, data management and verification, analysis strategies, modelling of data, interpretation of analyses and statistical reasoning, communication of statistical findings (tailored to the audience), quality graphical presentations, critical review of quantitative research and reasoning, and use of statistical software.  We can assist with grant applications.
If you are ready to enter or analyse your data, you can prepare for your consultation by following these guidelines.
You can bring your laptop and data stored on a memory stick to the consultation, if appropriate.
In preparing publications, please include appropriate acknowledgement of support provided by the Melbourne Statistical Consulting Platform.

Online resources on a variety of topics, designed for MSCP users, are available on Dr Sue Finch's webpage under RESOURCES tab.