East Carolina University
Department of Psychology

Statistical Consulting Policies

    I have shared my consulting policies with other consultants.  One of them shared his as well.  Here it is, as posted on STAT-L many years ago.

Date: Thu, 18 Feb 1993 09:34:00 EST
Sender: STATISTICAL CONSULTING <STAT-L@MCGILL1.BITNET>
From: "Philip Gallagher,(919)966-1065" <UPHILG@UNC.BITNET>
Subject: R: Karl Wuensch on consulting

Karl Wuensch's comments on consulting (paid and unpaid) within the university setting must have rung lots of bells for many of us. I have a slightly different set of guidelines, however, that suit my situation better.

With regard to pay: If the person(s) with whom I am consulting are being paid for their work on the project, then they must pay my department for my services. If they are doing unpaid work, then I will work pro bono, too. In general, however, our department survives by being written into the research contracts and grants that other departments get, and if any of us give our services at no charge, we cut our own throats. For many years I have given long hours to grad students and professors in other departments, assuming they would write me into their future proposals. Of course, they didn't. What they got at no charge they assume is something like a right to which they are entitled for being such wonderful people. (Actually, most of them are wonderful people, but that doesn't help our folks much.) So: if there is not a direct payment to our department trust fund, there must be a percentage of my salary paid by the the out-of-department folks. (I never have to worry about conflict of interest problems, because I never see any additional money: if there is any monetary exchange, it goes to the department.)

With respect to recommending our grad students to the other departments I am much more hard-nosed. The first time I open my mouth on that subject I inform the out-of-department folks that I cannot ask a student to take time from his/her academic work unless there is substantial (say $15/hour) reward and substantial opportunity to fulfill degree requirements (i.e., consulting requirements, publications, etc.). I have never found anyone arrogant enough to bluff his/her way out of paying students fairly, once it has been verbalized. I feel it is an absolute obligation on my part to prevent the misuse and abuse of students (at least by other folks!!! :-) ) I may wind up being abused and losing my weekends over it, but I cannot be a party to letting other faculty coerce our students. (Oh, well, sometimes, if it is a clearly time-limited situation, I may look the other way, just so the student will, for a few days, find out what is like to be cornered and trapped by the seemingly infinite sinkhole of persons requiring statistical advice - nothing will imprint the msg much better than having experienced that kind of misery - but, outside of a short "learning experience", no way.)