Thanks to my desire to understand the deeper mechanics that lie behind what we observe in the world, I suppose it’s natural that I love data analysis. Observation is great, but I can only observe a small slice of reality. I really want to understand the larger picture and know how it all works. Data analysis gives you the keys to do just this whether you are studying how to manufacture the best product, provide the best services, or answering an academic research question.
I’m Jim Frost and I came to Minitab with a background in a wide variety of academic research. My role was the “data/stat guy” on research projects that ranged from osteoporosis prevention to quantitative studies of online user behavior. Essentially, my job was to design the appropriate research conditions, accurately generate a vast sea of measurements, and then pull out patterns and meanings from it.
Typically, I’d be the first person on the team to learn some new piece of science when interpreting the results. Even if the findings were not worthy of making the news, that thrill of discovery sure is a nice job perk!
Now at Minitab, I am a technical writer who helps people use our software to gain insights from their own data, whether they’re working in quality improvement, academic research, or another field entirely. I’ll be writing about various experiences and practical tidbits that I’ve learned along the way that may help you in your own research endeavors.