Staff will offer such help as they are able to users
It is assumed and expected that potential outside users be sufficiently familiar with the analytical techniques they wish to employ that they will not need extensive "consultation" services. Staff will assist users with facility-specific tasks such as converting the format of files from proprietary software, and will give general guidance as to the steps a user should take to put the data in useful form. They will also explain the operation of unique software used for data analysis in the facility, but in so doing, they will assume that the user understands the concepts and philosophy behind the software. They will not, however, perform extensive "data massaging" procedures for outside users, nor will they write reports or otherwise characterize the results of an analytical session.
During conversation with users, staff will naturally share any relevant experience they may have that could aid a user in interpreting results. However, final responsibility for the interpretation and usefulness of the results rests with the user. For this reason (amongst others), users are expected to be present during their sessions on instruments; CMSE does not offer a "non-interactive" analytical service, in which samples are submitted and results returned later, without involvement of user's personnel.
MIT-CMSE September 2007