ASA Member News Archive
ASA Member News May 2013
May 2013 Edition
Statistical Outreach & News
RESULTS COMING IN ON DATA QUALITY FOR CANADA'S NEWLY VOLUNTARY NATIONAL HOUSEHOLD SURVEY
With congressional efforts in the United States to make the American Community Survey (ACS) voluntary, ACS stakeholders have watched closely Canada’s experience with converting its mandatory 2011 Census long-form to the voluntary National Household Survey. We already knew their response rates decreased and costs went up. Last week, we learned data quality suffered, particularly for small areas. To read more, see this ASA Community blog entry.
CONCERNING DEVELOPMENTS IN THE 113TH CONGRESS FOR RESEARCH AND FEDERAL STATISTICAL SYSTEM
There have been several recent developments in the 113th Congress that are of concern to both the federal statistical and research communities. Starting with the former, seven members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a first-time bill to eliminate the American Community Survey (ACS), Census of Governments, Economic Census, Census of Agriculture, and other surveys. Rep. Ted Poe (R-TX) and Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) also re-introduced their bills to make the ACS voluntary. On the research side, the new House Science, Technology, and Space Committee chair, Lamar Smith (R-TX), is circulating a bill to alter how the National Science Foundation (NSF) reviews grant applications. In addition, Smith wrote to the head of NSF requesting the peer review documents of five specific grants. In March, Sen. Tom Coburn (R-OK) succeeded in his attempt to eliminate NSF funding for NSF research unless the NSF director certifies in writing that the project is “promoting national security or the economic interests of the United States.” To read more, see this ASA Community blog entry.
COMMITTE ON NATIONAL STATISTICS (CNSTAT) RELEASES NEW EDITION OF 'PRINCIPLES AND PRACTICES FOR A FEDERAL STATISTICAL AGENCY'
CNSTAT released on May 8 its 5th edition of Principles and Practices for a Federal Statistical Agency, the influential document underscoring for the executive and legislative branches of government the fundamental requirements to best position a federal statistical agency to provide accurate and credible statistical information to policymakers and the public. The four principles are relevance to policy issues, credibility among data users, trust among data providers, and independence from political and other undue external influence. To find out more, go to this National Academies’ website.
Meetings, Education, & Events
7th INTERNATIONAL TOTAL SURVEY ERROR WORKSHOP – Ames, IA – June 2–4
ITSEW is an annual workshop to discuss emerging research on multiple survey errors. Topics focus on research that explores or analyzes the trade-offs of two or more sources of survey error within the context of relatively recent methodological or statistical approaches. The 7th ITSEW will take place fromJune 2–4 at the Gateway Hotel in Ames, Iowa, near the Iowa State University campus. Registration is now open.
30TH ANNUAL QUALITY AND PRODUCTIVITY RESEARCH CONFERENCE – Niskayuna, NY – June 4–7
The goal of the QPRC is to stimulate interdisciplinary research among statisticians, scientists, and engineers in quality and productivity, industrial needs, and the physical and engineering sciences. Statistical issues and research approaches drawn from collaborative research will be highlighted. The conference will be held at GE Global Research headquarters. Please visit our website for program and registration information.
2013 GRAYBILL CONFERENCE – Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO – June 9–11
The Department of Statistics at Colorado State University will host Graybill 2013: Modern Survey Statistics in Fort Collins. The conference program consists of a short course, 26 invited plenary talks, and a contributed poster session focusing on new developments in survey statistics and related areas. Online registration is available until June 2.
JSM 2013 – Montréal, Québec, Canada – August 3–8
Hotel reservations for JSM opened online on May 1 with a flourish. Please know that although there was an amazing initial response, rooms are still available at a number of official hotels for early arrivals. This includes the following hotels that also will provide a five-day STM (public transportation) pass with your reservation: Le Centre Sheraton Montréal, Fairmont Queen Elizabeth, Hilton Montréal Bonaventure, and Montréal Marriott Chateau Champlain. We have become aware that several companies, most recently Global Housing Corporation, have been contacting JSM participants regarding their hotel needs. Please be advised that the only company authorized to arrange hotel reservations for JSM attendees is Tourisme Montréal. The official housing bureau for JSM does not solicit reservations by phone or email. If you are contacted by any outside housing bureau/vendor, we urge to you report them to the ASA staff at meetings@amstat.org.
JSM JUNIOR RESEARCHERS’ WORKSHOP – Montréal, Québec, Canada – August 4
Are you a new researcher who is attending the JSM in Montréal? If so, you might be interested in attending this special event. It is a unique opportunity to hear first-hand from leaders in the field about what is important at the beginning of a research career, to ask questions, and to socialize. Refreshments will be served. Everybody is welcome, and there is no charge. Register here.
RSS 2013 ANNUAL CONFERENCE – Newcastle, UK – September 2–5
Registration is now open for the Royal Statistical Society’s annual conference this September. The early registration deadline is May 31. Information about registration can be found on the website. The conference will include the usual mix of keynote speakers, invited sessions, professional development workshops, and networking opportunities, as well as the society’s annual awards ceremony. The draft program is available.
ASA BIOPHARMACEUTICAL SECTION FDA-INDUSTRY STATISTICS WORKSHOP – Washington, DC – September 16–18
The ASA Biopharmaceutical Section FDA-Industry Statistics Workshop is sponsored by the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section in cooperation with the FDA Statistical Association. Each year, the conference offers two days of invited sessions co-chaired by statisticians from industry, academia, and the FDA. In addition, short courses on related topics are offered the day prior to the workshop. Conference attendance is limited to 800 participants. Make sure to check the website for updates and deadlines.
10TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON HEALTH POLICY STATISTICS – Chicago, IL – October 9–11
Registration for ICHPS is now open! Join us in Chicago for a conference that provides a unique forum for discussing research needs and solutions to the methodological challenges in the design of studies and analysis of data for health policy research. Be sure to register and book your hotel today!
THE BIENNIAL NONCLINICAL BIOSTATISTICS CONFERENCE – Villanova, Pennsylvania – October 15–17
This conference is jointly organized by statisticians from the pharmaceutical industry, academia, and FDA, in collaboration with the department of mathematics and statistics at Villanova University. The conference provides a venue for the presentation and discussion of scientific and statistical issues in the nonclinical areas of biomarkers/discovery, preclinical safety/toxicology and chemistry, manufacturing, and controls. Two short courses about technical topics also are offered and included with registration. Details, key dates, registration, and abstract submission materials are posted on the conference website: www.ncb2013.org. Questions, suggestions, and comments may be directed to info@ncb2013.org.
2013 FCSM RESEARCH CONFERENCE – Washington, DC – November 4–6
The 2013 Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology (FCSM) Research Conference will provide a forum for experts from around the world to discuss and exchange current research and methodological topics relevant to statistical programs.
2014 ASA CONFERENCE ON STATISTICAL PRACTICE – Tampa, FL – February 20–22, 2014
Statistical Practice 2014 will bring together hundreds of statistical practitioners—including data analysts, researchers, and scientists—who engage in the application of statistics to solve real-world problems on a daily basis. The conference will provide an opportunity to learn about the latest statistical methodologies and best practices in statistical design, analysis, programming, and consulting. A limited number of presentation abstracts will be accepted. If you would like to submit an abstract for consideration, please do so through the conference website until June 25.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Statistical events are happening around the country and the globe. View our Upcoming Events Calendar.
Off the Press
AMSTAT NEWS
STATS FOR SCIENTISTS PROPOSAL DRAWS ASA’S ATTENTION
A new proposal to establish a statistics curriculum within the chemistry departments of U.S.-based colleges and universities to address the specific needs of chemistry majors has drawn the attention of the American Statistical Association. Read more.
SIGNIFICANCE MAGAZINE ONLINE WEB EXCLUSIVES
CLASSIFYING HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
This article looks at how the characteristics of students help to distinguish universities that have different entrance requirements. We’ll briefly look at how universities can be classified into groups using the level of qualifications of entrants and then use a discriminant analysis to find combinations of student characteristics that distinguish the different groups. Read more.
Read more web exclusives from Significance.
FREE TAS DOWNLOAD!
“Not Only Defended But Also Applied’: The Perceived Absurdity of Bayesian Inference“ (with discussion) by Andrew Gelman and Christian Robert
Member Opportunities
JSM PROCEEDINGS
JSM Proceedings from 2008 onward will be available to members through the Members Only section starting July 1. Past JSM proceedings on CD are available through the Marketplace at a discounted rate of $40 for members.
EDITOR SOUGHT FOR CHANCE MAGAZINE
Nominations and applications are being sought for the next editor of CHANCE magazine. Working with the editorial board and the ASA’s magazine staff, the editor will provide direction and vision for the magazine, which has been published by the ASA for more than 20 years. The editor’s term will be from 2014 to 2016. Along with a curriculum vitae and the names of two references, the applicants should provide a statement of vision for CHANCE. Nominations and applications should be submitted by June 24 to Megan Murphy, ASA communications manager, at megan@amstat.org.
NOMINATIONS SOUGHT FOR WILLIAM G. HUNTER AWARD
The ASQ Statistics Division established the William G. Hunter Award in 1987 to encourage and promote outstanding accomplishments during a career in the broad field of applied statistics and to recognize someone who achieves results. Any outstanding leader in the field of applied statistics, regardless of ASQ Statistics Division membership status, is qualified. Candidates must have demonstrated a high level of professionalism, significant contributions to the field, and a history of inspirational leadership and application. A person may be nominated many times, but may win the award only once. The award criteria and nomination form can be downloaded from the Awards page of the ASQ Statistics Division website or obtained by contacting William A. Brenneman.
COMPETITIONS FOR BEST STATISTICS EDUCATION WEB (STEW)/CENSUS AT SCHOOL LESSON
There are cash prizes available for the best new STEW lessons using U.S. Census at School. Lesson plan entries are due July 15. For more information about the competition, visit the website.
2013 STATISTICS PROJECT COMPETITION
Introduce grades 7–12 students to statistics through the annual project competition, directed by the ASA/NCTM Joint Committee on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability. The competition offers opportunities for students to formulate questions and collect, analyze, and draw conclusions from data. Winners will be recognized with plaques, cash prizes, certificates, and calculators, and their names will be published in Amstat News. Projects are due on June 1.
JUDGES SOUGHT FOR STATISTICS PROJECT COMPETITION
The ASA/NCTM Joint Committee on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability is seeking judges for the 2013 Statistics Project Competition. Judging takes place via email during the summer and requires about four hours of your time. If interested, please email Jamis Perrett.
GIVE THE GIFT OF SIGNIFICANCE TO YOUR LOCAL HIGH SCHOOL
Help your local high school introduce the power of statistics to our children through a tax-deductible gift subscription to Significance magazine. Significance articles are nontechnical, appealing to everyone interested in statistics and the analysis and interpretation of data. The magazine communicates and demonstrates, in an entertaining and thought-provoking way, the practical use of statistics in all walks of life and shows how statistics benefit society. Provide your local high school with a subscription today.
ASA ACCREDITATION PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW
ASA accreditation is a portfolio-based credential available to only ASA members. It is completely voluntary and intended for those who think such a credential would be meaningful in their professional lives. Benefits include free LearnStat on Demand access, a 20% discount on regular Continuing Education courses, and special recognition. View the full list of accredited members.
AWARDS, FELLOWSHIPS, & CONTESTS
JANET L. NORWOOD AWARD – Deadline: June 28
Feedback, comments, or suggestions are welcome please email asamail@amstat.org with your ideas.