Biostatistics involves collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting data in various fields, primarily in health-related areas. Biostatisticians work in hospitals, universities, and government agencies and require at least a bachelor’s degree in statistics or mathematics.
Biostatistics refers to the science of clinical statistics as it applies to a wide scope of possible careers related to biology. As you might expect, this means that the majority of biostatistics work is found in health-related areas, primarily medicine. However, biostatistics jobs can also involve various other fields and industries, such as agriculture, animal husbandry, veterinary medicine, public health services, wildlife research, botany, and environmental conservation. Furthermore, the application of biostatistics is expanding to include several relatively new fields such as medical imaging, ecological prediction, and statistical genetics.
Whatever the specific field or industry, all biostatistics jobs mostly involve the same tasks, namely collecting, processing, analyzing, and interpreting data. Often these duties are related to sampling data in the form of surveying a small number of study subjects or volunteers from the general population. In this scenario, the biostatistician is also likely responsible for designing the questionnaire or other ingestion technique, and perhaps even advising others on how to collect and distribute the collected information.
As many biostatistics jobs occupy the field of medicine, it is quite common to participate in the construction and implementation of clinical trials and studies. As in research, the biostatistician provides information about the appropriate sample size and the best methodologies for collecting and analyzing the data. However, he or she may also be called upon to recommend innovative experimental designs to accommodate and achieve specific guidelines. Indeed, establishing this type of foundation is critical, as government funding for the project often requires a preliminary design plan to gain approval.
Biostatistics is not just about developing statistical models and calculating results, however. In fact, many biostatistics jobs often cross over with data analysis for quality control assurance and product development. In addition, biostatisticians often work closely with other professionals to develop policy, conduct market research, and implement cost controls, such as economists, insurance analysts, marketing specialists, and computer programmers.
In terms of the work environment, many biostatistics jobs are taken in hospitals, medical facilities, and other clinical settings. However, others can find employment at universities and small colleges. Also, some biostatistics jobs reside in the government sector under various divisions and agencies.
A career as a biostatistician usually does not require licensure or certification, but it does require a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in statistics or mathematics. It should be noted, however, that the most successful candidates hold a master’s or doctoral degree. Certainly, anyone considering entering this field must possess a strong interest in and demonstrated aptitude in science and mathematics.
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