For scholars looking to develop a manuscript from their data in a fraction of the time it currently takes, University of Pretoria (UP) alumnus Dr Israel Agaku has a straightforward and elegant solution: one application to replace the many software applications that academics usually have to make use of.

“Chisquares aims to address an issue that has persisted throughout the history of scientific writing,” says Dr Agaku, CEO and Chief Scientific Officer at Chisquares Inc. “The current research process is marred by fragmentation, manual labour and a susceptibility to errors.”

Academics typically interact with no fewer than eight applications, such as SurveyMonkey for data collection, and SPSS or other statistical software for data analysis.

“Chisquares streamlines the entire research journey, from data collection to manuscript publication, within a single, integrated platform,” he explains. “We aspire to redefine the scientific research landscape by offering a seamless experience where an entire manuscript can be effortlessly crafted within a matter of hours. This not only includes comprehensive analysis but also encompasses the writing process, seamless reference integration and swift journal submission. Our goal is to streamline the scientific research process like never before.”

According to Dr Agaku, Chisquares offers five key benefits, which he refers to as the “five Vs”: Velocity, for quicker task completion; Volume, for efficiently handling extensive data and producing numerous papers; Versatility, for adapting to diverse research requirements; Veracity, to ensure error-free, precise results; and Visibility, facilitating straightforward journal submissions.

He says Chisquares was born from first-hand experiences, having published more than 130 manuscripts and serving as Co-Editor-in-Chief of the journal Tobacco Induced Diseases.

“In these roles, I witnessed many authors struggling with poorly written manuscripts that often took an extended period, sometimes years to complete due to labour-intensive tasks,” Dr Agaku recalls. “This experience motivated me to create Chisquares, a comprehensive solution that serves as a one-stop-shop for all research needs, marking a revolution in modern scientific writing.”

Dr Agaku says this tool is beneficial for master’s students who are writing their theses and PhD candidates who are crafting their dissertations, as well as faculty members, independent researchers preparing grants or research papers, market research companies and virtually anyone in a data-driven industry.

According to Dr. Agaku, the application's launch will occur in two phases. The initial release is scheduled for December 1, 2023, and it will feature a wide range of functionalities for survey data collection, sample size determination, and the ability to draw nationally representative samples from nearly any country across the globe. The complete platform, equipped with all the necessary capabilities for manuscript creation, is set to become available in 2024. 

Although his current work is primarily centred on the technology field, he says he continues to apply the core principles of scientific enquiry and evidence-based decision-making in his present responsibilities at Chisquares.

Prior to obtaining his second PhD in Health Systems at UP in 2021, Dr Agaku obtained a degree in dentistry from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria, and later earned a master’s degree from Harvard University, followed by a PhD in Epidemiology from the University of Georgia in the US.  He also holds an MBA, and is a diplomate of the American Board of Dental Public Health.

He believes it’s important to give back as alumni because graduates have the potential to play a key role in advancing a university and benefiting current students, fellow alumni and the institution as a whole.

Click here for more information about Chisquares.