What is MAL?
The Methods and Analysis Lab (MAL) is where you can ask questions about data, research design, methodologies, statistical analysis, and machine learning.
The Methods and Analysis Lab is housed within the University Libraries, and is led by faculty from the Scholar Support and Data Services Department (SSDS). MAL faculty have backgrounds in applied statistics, computational social science, and mixed methodologies.
What services does MAL offer?
MAL faculty provide guidance on the following:
- Developing research questions and corresponding methodologies
- Survey design
- Recommended software for analysis
- Use of statistical software
- Data cleaning
- Descriptive statistics and data visualization
- Statistical inference
- Choosing appropriate statistical models
- Machine learning techniques
How do I make an appointment?
Appointments with the Methods and Analysis Lab are available on a first-come, first-served basis to currently-affiliated University of Mississippi students, faculty, and staff. There is no cost to schedule a MAL appointment. As such, the appointments are limited to 60 minutes and support is offered at the discretion of the MAL faculty.
All MAL faculty are available to assist with developing research questions, selecting methodologies, data cleaning, data visualization, and descriptive and inferential statistics. However, MAL faculty differ on weekly availability and specific guidance. Please review the following before you select which MAL faculty you would like an appointment with.
Faculty Availability Schedule
| Dr. Savannah Kelly | Dr. Sian Lee | Dr. Shelby Watson |
|---|---|---|
| Available: Thursdays and Fridays | Available: Tuesdays and Thursdays | Available: Tuesdays and Wednesdays |
| Guidance: R and RStudio, General Linear Modeling, Generalized Linear Modeling, Linear Mixed Models, tidyverse | Guidance: Python Programming (Basic and Intermediate), Text Data Analysis, Machine Learning Applications, Online Human-Subjects Experiments (Amazon MTurk, Prolific, Qualtrics, ANOVAs), Overleaf/LaTeX | Guidance: Survey Design, Mixed/Hybrid Methodologies, Spatial Data, Python (Pandas), and Qualitative Coding |
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is a MAL appointment?30 minutes or 60 minutes
How many MAL appointments can I make during the semester?Up to three
Do you offer in-person or online appointments?Both online and in-person appointments are available at the discretion of the MAL faculty.
Is a MAL appointment free?Yes. Appointments with MAL faculty are currently offered free of charge.
How long until someone responds to my MAL appointment request?We strive to respond to MAL requests within three business days. The Methods and Analysis Lab is a free service and appointment slots fill up quickly and we may not be able to accommodate every request. If you haven't heard from a MAL faculty within three business days, please email Dr. Savannah Kelly at slkelly@olemiss.edu.
Can you help with my statistics courses or homework?No. MAL faculty do not provide homework or exam assistance.
Can you run my analysis for me?No. MAL faculty do not run independent analysis on behalf of students, faculty, or staff. If you are looking for a research project or grant proposal collaborator, you are welcome to contact individual MAL faculty directly.
Can you provide guidance on highly complex techniques and models?No. MAL consultations are limited to 60 minutes. Questions or topics requiring extensive time or advanced technical expertise are beyond the scope of MAL. However, if you are seeking a collaborator for a research project or grant proposal, you can contact individual MAL faculty via email.
Where are you located?MAL faculty are located in the J.D. Williams Library on the main Oxford campus.
