What sorts of assistance are inappropriate?
Although there is a large grey area demarcating activities that are clearly appropriate from those that are clearly inappropriate, it is generally not proper for a consultant to: make decisions about how a student should analyze his data; analyze the student’s data; or write computer-program setups for the student. We realize that at times a consultant may need to examine a student’s data, and that students may require relatively more assistance with forms of statistical analysis that are unusual or difficult. We have a wider latitude in assisting faculty and staff with their research. Alternatively, consultants at the CRMDA may help a research assistant to carry out statistical analyses for a faculty member. We find that it is often useful for both the faculty member and the assistant to attend the consultation.
