The Mission of STATS

• Activity Number: 99
• Type: Topic Contributed
• Date/Time: Monday, August 12, 2002 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
• Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education*
• Author(s): S. Lichter*+
• Affiliation(s): Statistical Assessment Service
• Keywords: Media ; Journalism ; STATS ; policy ; politics

Abstract

The Statistical Assessment Service (STATS) is a non-partisan, non-profit research organization in Washington, D.C. dedicated to improving the quality of scientific and social science research and empirical information that influences public discourse. We serve as a resource for journalists, policymakers, and other opinion leaders by helping them to understand and apply the principles of sound scientific method and practice to research that lays claim to public attention and policy. STATS's unique mission is to intercept bad science and faulty data presentation before they become conventional wisdom, by producing clear and accurate critiques in time to improve the knowledge base and scientific literacy of ongoing public debate. To accomplish this we monitor and evaluate research information as it appears, alert journalists about coming controversies, intervene as the information is released publicly, and match journalists to relevant experts. Over the longer term, we serve as an educational resource for groups, such as civil servants and judges, who need to raise their level of scientific literay in order to better serve the public interest.