New Stats HelpDesk Empowers Georgia Tech Researchers

The School of Psychology has launched a new Stats HelpDesk to provide free, tailored statistical support for students, faculty, and researchers across Georgia Tech. The initiative, led by Academic Professional Eunbee Kim, offers statistical guidance throughout the research process from hypothesis formulation to data analysis and reporting.

“We can assist at every stage of statistical analysis and for every School and major on campus,” says Kim.

She emphasizes that students and faculty don’t need a fully formed research design to seek help. In fact, Kim encourages early consultations — preferably before data collection.

“If you want a solid hypothesis and data plan, the best time to come is actually before you start collecting data,” she explains. “The goal is to make statistical support an integral part of the research process rather than a last-minute hurdle.”

Kim earned a Ph.D. in Quantitative Psychology from Georgia Tech in 2024. She proposed the idea for a Stats HelpDesk during the interview for her current position after witnessing people with great research ideas struggle to find accessible, customized statistical guidance.

“Many researchers — not just students but faculty as well — spend hours troubleshooting their data or interpreting output without knowing whether their approach is appropriate,” she says. “I want to bridge that gap.”

The service, which officially began in late September, is currently staffed solely by Kim. Despite its early phase, she has already supported faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates on projects ranging from senior theses to academic papers.

Liam Hart is a second-year Ph.D. student studying psychology. “I am still learning multilevel modeling but plan to use it for my thesis,” says Hart. “The Stats HelpDesk has been incredibly useful — helping me apply what I’m learning in class to my research — so that I can move forward with my research proposal.”

Consultations are by appointment only and should be set up through the Stats HelpDesk website. Remote and in-person meetings are available on Mondays from noon to 2 p.m. and on Tuesdays (remote only) from 1 – 2 p.m.

Looking ahead, Kim plans to expand the team to include specialists in areas such as Bayesian modeling, multilevel modeling, and item response theory.

“With more team members, we could allocate questions based on expertise,” she adds. “In the long term, we hope to grow into a collaborative resource that serves institutions beyond Georgia Tech.”