Statistical Methods and Analysis

Abstract

The data analysis tasks we face are complex and challenging. Our proposed research has many objectives and, to be most effective, analytic strategies must vary by the nature of the research problem. In some cases, our research questions resemble those that have been asked before, allowing us to use familiar statistical tools with well-developed applications. Other questions we are interested in reflect more innovative approaches to research issues, and thus we have few precedents to build on. In most such instances, the statistical techniques that appear to be most useful and relevant have been developed only recently, and no universally accepted analytic procedure has yet emerged.