The Rules of Engagement

If you are one of my students

Please use my University of Sussex email (it's on the US website, Study Direct, and in your course handbook). You can usually expect a response pretty quickly. If it's a course related question you can also use the appropriate bulletin boards on study direct, which I check regularly.

If you are a random person who I've never met

Please read the following: Emails other than ones directly related to my work at Sussex generally fall into three categories:

  1. People emailing me about my anxiety research.
    • Please use my University of Sussex email (it's on the US website)
  2. Comments on my book/website:
    • If you've sent comments on my book or web pages you'll certainly get a thank you at some point because I really value the feedback and appreciate the time people spend sending me comments.
    • If you're confused about something in the book, then I have a list of known errors and problems in the book which might answer your question (see here).
    • Difficulties with the 'Discovering Statistics' companion website. I do not maintain this website, my contribution is only to provide materials for it. The website belongs to Sage Publications and is maintained by Shift Media. Therefore, please direct any issues to them.
    • Complaints about the book: if you have some issue with the book that relates to production (i.e. missing pages, pages falling out, something missing), please direct these to your local Sage Publications (they have offices in the US, UK and India) and they will sort you out. If you want to complain about the unadulterated filth that permeates the content of the book, then this should be directed to me.
  3. Statistics Questions:The vast majority of mail from complete strangers contains questions about statistics/asking for help with data analysis etc. I do try to respond to these emails if I have time but sometimes I don't (especially if it's a long and involved question/set of questions). I answer the vast majority of emails asking me quick, succinctly explained, one-off questions. In other cases, please bear in mind the following answers to FAQ (yes, really, these are things I get asked a hell of a lot):
    • How can I email you?
      • Please use the address at the bottom of this page. I prefer it if my work email address is used only by my students, colleagues, or for enquiries about my research - that's why I don't advertise it on this website. I like to keep my work inbox as clear as possible so that it's easy to see what work I still need to do for the people who pay my wages - stats questions cluttering up this inbox tend to get deleted. That's why I have a seperate address for statistics stuff.
    • When is the best time to email?
      • During term time I'm usually very busy/stressed/working long hours and devote my time to the 300 students I teach at Sussex. My students are my priority. I'm more likely to have time outside of Sussex University term dates.
    • What Type of questions will I answer?
      • The simple answer is short and to-the-point ones. If you send me a really long email with hundreds of questions in, realistically it's unlikely to get answered because of time constraints. Also, if the question is on a topic that I don't really know too well then it can take me a while to consult books, get my head around the problem, and try to come up with a sensible answer (I'm not nearly as knowledgeable about statistics as people seem to think ... I am a psychologist after all!). If I think you can find an answer as good as or better than the one I'd give you within about 10 seconds by using google, then I generally won't respond (so asking me 'what is statistical power?' is unlikely to get a response because there is a very good Wiki on the topic that explains things better than I can).
    • Will I advise you on how to analyse your data?
      • I'm pretty reluctant to comment in detail on data analysis relating to formally assessed work such as Ph.D. work (mainly because my advise might conflict with that of your supervisor/external examiner and I'd rather avoid being sued or ending up annoying your supervisor). If your research supervisor cannot advise you, they are welcome to email me for advice - that way I know that there is no potential conflict. I very often respond to points of clarification though. I don't generally tell people who send me long descriptions of their research which test to use when they ask me.
    • Will I analyse your data for you?
      • No. Sorry.
    • Will I do your stats assignment for you?
      • No. Sorry.
    • Will I give you personal tuition/regular advice about statistics in person or via email?
      • No. Sorry.
    • Will I help you to design your research/come up with a research proposal for you?
      • No (that's your supervisor's job).
    • Do I offer formal statistics consultancy?
      • Some people, such as Adam Hafdahl, do but I do not ( other than answering emails with reasonable requests when I have the time).
    • Can I send you a free copy of one of my books?
      • No, but Sage will give you an inspection copy if you're planning to use it on your course.

    NSPCC LogoDespite the above probably making me sound like a miserable, grumpy old bastard I really don't mind people sending me stats questions (provided you don't take offence if I don't have time to answer) and I do respond to an enormous number. Over the past few years, I have asked people to whom I do respond (provided the response is useful) to show their appreciation by donating to the NSPCC (a UK charity that acts to protect children and prevent child cruelty - given I research child anxiety this is a charity close to my heart) via justgiving.com. All donations are secure and sent electronically to NSPCC. If you are a UK taxpayer, Justgiving will add an automatic 28% bonus to your donation at no cost to you. If my stats help is useful then please help me support NSPCC and a fabulous cause!