STATA

Term from Research Institutions industry explained for recruiters

STATA is a popular software tool that researchers and analysts use to analyze data and create statistics. Think of it as a specialized calculator that can handle large amounts of information and create detailed reports. It's commonly used in universities, research institutions, healthcare organizations, and government agencies. While similar tools include SPSS and R, STATA is particularly favored in fields like economics, sociology, and public health research. The software helps researchers organize their data, run statistical tests, and create professional charts and graphs to explain their findings.

Examples in Resumes

Analyzed healthcare outcomes using STATA statistical software

Conducted economic research utilizing STATA for data management and analysis

Created statistical models in STATA to analyze survey results

Typical job title: "Data Analysts"

Also try searching for:

Statistical Analyst Research Associate Quantitative Researcher Data Scientist Research Analyst Biostatistician Economic Researcher

Where to Find Data Analysts

Example Interview Questions

Senior Level Questions

Q: Can you describe a complex research project where you used STATA?

Expected Answer: Look for answers that demonstrate leadership in designing research methodology, managing large datasets, and creating reproducible analysis workflows. They should explain how they used STATA to solve complex research challenges.

Q: How do you ensure data quality and reproducibility in your STATA analyses?

Expected Answer: Strong candidates should discuss version control, documentation practices, data cleaning procedures, and how they maintain organized do-files (STATA scripts) for reproducible research.

Mid Level Questions

Q: What types of statistical analyses have you performed using STATA?

Expected Answer: Candidate should be able to describe common statistical procedures they've used, such as regression analysis, survival analysis, or survey data analysis, in non-technical terms.

Q: How do you handle missing data in your analyses?

Expected Answer: Look for practical approaches to dealing with incomplete datasets, including understanding when and how to use different methods for handling missing data.

Junior Level Questions

Q: What basic STATA commands are you familiar with?

Expected Answer: Entry-level candidates should be able to describe basic data management and analysis tasks, such as importing data, creating simple statistics, and making basic graphs.

Q: How do you create basic graphs and tables in STATA?

Expected Answer: Should demonstrate understanding of basic data visualization and presentation capabilities, including creating simple charts and formatted tables.

Experience Level Indicators

Junior (0-2 years)

  • Basic data importing and cleaning
  • Simple statistical analyses
  • Creating basic graphs and tables
  • Running prepared analysis scripts

Mid (2-5 years)

  • Complex data management
  • Advanced statistical modeling
  • Custom analysis script creation
  • Research project coordination

Senior (5+ years)

  • Research methodology design
  • Advanced statistical programming
  • Team leadership and mentoring
  • Publication and presentation of results

Red Flags to Watch For

  • No experience with real research data
  • Unfamiliarity with basic statistical concepts
  • Unable to explain data cleaning processes
  • No experience with research documentation
  • Lack of understanding of research ethics