Errors of the Third Kind in Statistical Consulting

Abstract Because graduate students in statistics are given little, if any, preparation for actual consulting, they are prone, particularly in their early years, to commit errors of the third kind, many of which could be avoided if the students were properly trained. Errors of the third kind are defined and are illustrated with actual examples from consulting experience. The cases used represent types of error which result from different situations that arise frequently in practice. Some discussion is included of possible remedies for this problem that are suggested by the experience of educators in other fields.