Research can feel overwhelming when you don’t know where to start. 

That’s why the RStats Institute within the McQueary College of Health and Human Services (MCHHS) exists — to make the process easier, less intimidating and even enjoyable. 

Here, students and faculty work with experts who guide them with clear directions, simple tools and steady support. 

Guiding research at every stage 

The RStats Institute is a free resource dedicated to supporting faculty and students in MCHHS.  

Services include choosing the right design, finding the best measures, selecting proper statistical tests, developing surveys, collecting data and analyzing them using software like JASP, SPSS and Qualtrics. 

“We want students and faculty to feel confident at every step,” said RStats Director Jessica Willis. “Whether they’re designing research or interpreting complex results, we’re here to make the process easier.” 

Most support goes to graduate students working on capstone projects, theses or community-based research. Faculty can also receive help, usually up to three hours per project. 

A history of growth 

The RStats story began in the early 2000s, when Dr. Chantal Levesque, professor in psychology from 2002-2012, and Dr. Wayne Mitchell, faculty emeritus, started helping colleagues with statistical needs.  

They joined forces with the Ozarks Public Health Institute and Dr. Frederick Maxwell, faculty emeritus, to propose a dedicated consulting center. In 2006-07, RStats officially launched within MCHHS.  

During COVID-19, RStats expanded through online consultations, connecting students and faculty from more than 15 programs. Over time, it has grown from basic support to a full-service research hub. 

From student to RStats leader

A proud Missouri State alumna, Willis earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology in 2015 and 2017, respectively. She also holds a graduate certificate in statistics and research design.  

Before joining RStats, she worked as a health care data analyst for the Missouri Primary Care Association. 

She joined RStats in September 2018 as coordinator and was promoted to director on July 1, 2024. Since then, her focus has shifted more toward overseeing RStats while still teaching ANE 700 each fall. 

In recent years, Dr. Caitlin Masterson, assistant professor in the School of Health Care Professions joined the team to teach research and statistics courses while also providing RStats consultation support. 

Together with two graduate assistants, they form the core team supporting RStats clients. 

The impact in action 

RStats doesn’t just ‘do the stats.’ It teaches students how to use them. They learn to run analyses, interpret their findings and share results with confidence. 

“Toward the end of the project, we often see that ‘light bulb’ moment where everything clicks,” Willis said. “They make the connection between theory and practice, and their learning goes beyond just the classroom.” 

Willis shared an example of a project led by Dr. Ashlea Cardin, professor and Master of Occupational Therapy program director.  

She and a few of her OT students studied 150 infants in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Mercy Hospital to understand factors affecting hospital stay and oral feeding progress.  

RStats handled the data analysis, explained the results and assisted in the publication process. The study was published in the Journal of Neonatal Nursing in 2023, a big accomplishment for the team involved. 

“What made this project so impactful was how it showed students the real-world relevance of research and statistics,” Willis said. 

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