ASA Member News Archive
ASA Member News December 2011
December 2011 Edition
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Statistical Outreach & News
CONGRESS WRAPS UP FY12 BUDGETS: NIH, BLS, NCES, NCHS, EIA MOSTLY FLAT
After finalizing three of the 12 appropriations bills last month, Congress sent the remaining 9 bills as a “megabus” to the President last week. Despite a $60 million (0.2%) cut from FY11, NIH will effectively have $240 million more in FY12 because of a mandated transfer of funds in FY11 that was not repeated in FY12. BLS, NCES and NCHS also had their budget shaved by 0.2%. EIA’s budget was increased $9 million to $105 million, which is still short of its FY10 level of $111 million. While details have yet to be released, the Social Security Administration’s (SSA) Office of Research, Evaluation, and Statistics could see a substantial decrease because of a large cut to the SSA Research and Demonstration account. FY12 budget development table for NSF and NIH and for the statistical agencies. The President has not yet signed the megabus into law.
ASA FELLOW TESTIFIES ON SCIENCE OF FORENSIC SCIENCE BEFORE SENATE PANEL
On December 7, Constantine Gatsonis, co-chair of the National Academies panel that authored Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States, was one of four witnesses at a Senate hearing entitled, “Turning the Investigation on the Science of Forensics." "We heard one consistent message, ... the forensic science system ... has serious problems that can only be addressed by a national commitment to overhaul the current structure that supports the forensic science community in this country," Gatsonis told Chairman Rockeller (D-WV) and six other Senators. See his full testimony (minute 49:37). Learn more about ASA's forensic science reform activities.
ASA SCIENCE POLICY NOW ON TWITTER
Follow Science Policy tweets at @ASA_SciPol.
Meetings, Education, & Events
FEDERAL COMMITTEE ON STATISTICAL METHODOLOGY (FCSM) RESEARCH CONFERENCE - Washington, DC - January 10–12, 2012
The advance program for the upcoming FCSM Research Conference is set, and registration is now open. The conference will consist of a plenary session with keynote speaker Don Dillman from Washington State University, 36 paper sessions, and two technical demonstration sessions. The conference will provide a forum for experts from around the world to discuss and exchange current statistical research and methodological issues. Register and view the advance program on the FCSM website.
SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA CHAPTER WORKSHOP – San Francisco, CA - JANUARY 28, 2012
The San Francisco Bay Area Chapter is hosting a workshop on January 28, 2012. Roger Hoerl and Ronald Snee will present “Using Statistical Engineering to Solve Large, Unstructured Problems” at the Hotel Biltmore in Santa Clara, California. For more information and to register, visit the chapter’s website.
ASA CONFERENCE ON STATISTICAL PRACTICE – Orlando, Florida – February 16–18, 2012
The program for the inaugural ASA Conference on Statistical Practice is set. Are you a statistical practitioner—data analyst, researcher, or scientist—engaged in the application of statistics to solve real-world problems on a daily basis? This conference will provide an opportunity for you to learn about the latest statistical methodologies and best practices in statistical design, analysis, programming, and consulting. Explore the program and register for a short course or tutorial today.
5TH ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM ON INNOVATIONS IN DESIGN, ANALYSIS, AND DISSEMINATION: FRONTIERS IN BIOSTATISTICAL METHODS – Kansas City, MO - April 26–27, 2012
Cerner Corporation, the Kansas-Western Missouri Chapter of the ASA, and the department of biostatistics at the University of Kansas Medical Center are pleased to announce their fifth annual symposium. This event will take place at the Cerner Vision Center on Cerner Corporation’s World Headquarters campus. The keynote will be delivered by Richard Simon, chief of the Biometric Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute. A pre-symposium short course, “Bayesian Adaptive Methods for Clinical Trials,” also will be offered onsite the morning of April 26 by Bradley Carlin, professor and head of biostatistics for the University of Minnesota School of Public Health. Registration for events and additional information will be forthcoming.
4th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERNCE ON ESTABLISHMENT SURVEYS (ICESIV) – Montreal, Quebec, Canada - June 11–14, 2012: REGISTRATION OPEN JANUARY 3
The ICES series of conferences serves an important role in the world of survey methodology, as few others focus on methods and applications for establishment surveys. The first three, held at seven-year intervals from 1993 to 2007, were very successful, with more than 400 delegates per conference. The conferences covered a broad spectrum of survey methods for businesses, farms, and institutions. Registration will open January 3, 2012. Learn more.
JSM 2012 – CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - San Diego, California – July 28–August 2, 2012
Help us plan a great JSM! Abstract submission for JSM 2012 will take place until February 1. Note that JSM registration is required when submitting an abstract to be considered for the 2012 program. To help provide the best program possible and to reduce program gaps that result from cancellations, presenters and roundtable leaders must commit to the program earlier than required in recent years. If you have any questions, please send an email to meetings@amstat.org. We will accept abstracts until February 1, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Visit the 2012 JSM website to learn more and view upcoming JSM-related deadlines.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Statistical events are happening around the country and the globe. View our Upcoming Events Calendar.
Off the Press
AMSTAT NEWS: Q&A Site for Statisticians Launched
Cross Validated is a free, community-driven question and answer site for statisticians, data analysts, data miners, and data visualization experts. It is part of the Stack Exchange network of Q&A websites, and it was created through the open democratic process defined at Stack Exchange Area 51. What’s so special about this? They synthesize aspects of wikis, blogs, forums, and Digg/Reddit in a way that allows for the best quality answers and interface for exchanging knowledge. Amstat News interviewed Rob Hyndman about his experiences with the website as a statistics resource for professionals and students. Read more.
SIGNIFICANCE MAGAZINE ONLINE WEB EXCLUSIVES
Wish Upon a Star
Once again, it’s the time of year when statisticians get their Christmas cards, look at the Christmas star in the picture, and think, “I wonder if I could figure out what it really was.” Out come the astronomical tables and calculators and the search begins. Even astronomers have been known to fall into the trap of “explaining” what the Christmas star might have been. Read More.
Read more web exclusives from Significance.
CHANCE MAGAZINE ONLINE
Model Risk and the Great Recession
Recent events in the financial services industry showcase key concepts about risk models and their assumptions, usefulness, and limitations. Statistical models for risk management are becoming increasingly commonplace as lending tools and achieving a level of influence requiring a commensurate level of oversight and suspicion. In fact, these models can contribute significantly to operational risk in financial services: Never before has reliance on models—for credit approval, risk ratings, capitalization, etc.—been so fundamental to the operating health of an industry. Read More.
EDITORS AND CO-EDITORS SOUGHT
Do you know someone who would be perfect as editor or co-editor for one of the ASA's journals? Nominations for co-editor of JBES and editor of the Journal of the American Statistical Association, Applications and Case Studies, are being taken until December 23. More information about the JBES co-editorship. More information about the JASA Applications and Case Studies editorship. Perhaps you'd like to serve as editor, yourself? The application deadline is February 10, 2012. Be part of the ASA's long tradition of excellence in statistical publishing!
FEATURED ARTICLES FROM THE ASA
The following articles have been chosen by each journal's editors as Featured Articles, making them freely available for a limited time. Pass these on to friends and colleagues who might be interested!
JASA
Applications and Case Studies
* Population Value Decomposition, a Framework for the Analysis of Image Populations (with discussion) by Crainiceanu et al.
* Robust EM Continual Reassessment Method in Oncology Dose Finding by Ying Yuan and Guosheng Yin
Theory and Methods
* Adaptive Confidence Intervals for the Test Error in Classification (with discussion) by Eric B. Laber and Susan A. Murphy
* Rao–Blackwellization for Bayesian Variable Selection and Model Averaging in Linear and Binary Regression: A Novel Data Augmentation Approach by Joyee Ghosh and Merlise A. Clyde
JBES
* Sensitivity of Impulse Responses to Small Low-Frequency Comovements: Reconciling the Evidence on the Effects of Technology Shocks by Nikolay Gospodinov, Alex Maynard, and Elena Pesavento
Technometrics
* Design of Experiments for Categorical Repeated Measurements in Packet Communication Networks by Ben M. Parker, Steven G. Gilmour, and John A. Schormans
Remember: To get the most out of your online subscriptions, be sure to register. Even if you access your subscriptions through ASA Members Only, you'll be able to take advantage of features such as automatic email alerts when a new issue publishes, delivery of table of contents to your desktop—even for journals you don't subscribe to, and citation alerts.
Statistics Teacher Network ISSUE 78 NOW ONLINE
The Statistics Teacher Network (STN) is a free newsletter published by the ASA/NCTM Joint Committee on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability for Grades K–12. Issue 78 is now online.
Member Opportunities
ASA CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Director of Programs
The ASA is seeking applicants for director of programs. The director of programs will report to and work closely with the executive director to execute the ASA's strategic and short-range plans. Examples of important activities under way include the International Year of Statistics, 175th anniversary of the ASA, accreditation, advocacy, and education. Other initiatives will arise as the association continues to grow and the profession continues to advance. As a member of the ASA's leadership team, this individual will help advance the ASA's efforts to promote the practice and profession of statistics.
Manager of Surveys and Graduate Education
The ASA also is seeking qualified applicants for a manager of surveys and graduate education. We are looking for a dynamic individual to develop and execute surveys conducted by the ASA; tackle the challenges of improving statistical education at the graduate level as a member of a team of staff and volunteers; assist in the administration of the ASA's accreditation program; solicit, propose, and manage ASA grants related to graduate education and research matters; work with appropriate ASA constituencies and entities to develop grant requests; ensure production of appropriate publicity pieces as needed, including columns for Amstat News; prepare periodic reports on activities of the graduate education programs and the results of surveys; prepare and submit budgets within the responsibilities of this position; and serve as a resource to members, staff, and the community in the field of surveys and graduate education in statistics.
OPPORTUNITY TO PROVIDE FEEDBACK FOR SMARTER BALANCED MATHEMATICS CONTENT SPECIFICATIONS
The SMARTER Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) is one of two multistate consortia awarded funding from the U.S. Department of Education to develop an assessment system based on the new Common Core State Standards. We hope you will consider providing feedback by January 3, 2012, regarding the revised SBAC content specifications for mathematics. The assessments will affect the teaching of statistics at the K–12 level.
CHAPTER CHATTER
Did you know the Council of Chapters Governing Board (COCGB) publishes a biannual newsletter, Chapter Chatter, on chapter activities and other news of interest to ASA chapters? Read the current issue and previous issues. Chapter Chatter is published in the spring and fall. You also can contact Jim Cochran, COCGB communications officer and Chapter Chatter editor, with news items and suggestions.
ASA ACCREDITATION PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW
The ASA’s accreditation program continues to grow, with more than 140 accredited ASA members. View a list of accredited statisticians here. Perhaps you are ready to join the growing ranks of ASA-accredited statisticians. To find out how, visit the accreditation website and review the guidelines to be sure of your eligibility.
REVERSE TIME CAPSULE
Please join us as we look forward to celebrating the ASA’s 175th anniversary by participating in our “reverse” time capsule project. The reverse time capsule will contain forecasts of or comments about the future, specifically regarding the year 2039 (the 200th anniversary of the ASA), as viewed from the present perspective. Thus, it will be the present perspective on the future. Mostly, however, it is simply a fun activity opened at the start of preparations for the 175th anniversary of the ASA. To access the reverse time capsule, go to ASA Members Only and select the Reverse Time Capsule tab at the top of the page.
AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENTS
Deadlines and contact information for ASA national awards, special lectureships, and COPSS awards can be found by visiting the following links: ASA awards & scholarships and COPSS awards.
2012 COUNCIL OF CHAPTERS TRAVELING COURSES
Courses for the 2012 Council of Chapters Traveling Course program have been finalized, including “Applied Mixed Models” by Linda Young, “Applied Survival Analysis” by Susanne May, and “Monte Carlo Methods with R” by George Casella. The deadline for ASA chapters to apply to host these courses is December 31. For more information about the traveling course program, course descriptions, or an application form, visit the ASA website.
AMERICAN STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION’S FELLOWSHIP and RESEARCH PROGRAMS
The American Statistical Association, with support from the National Science Foundation, has partnered with several national agencies to provide research fellowships to individuals who have an academically recognized research record and considerable expertise in their area of proposed research. The ASA/NSF/BLS Research Fellowship Program seeks fellows to conduct research in residence at the Bureau of Labor Statistics, use BLS data and facilities, and interact with BLS staff. Applications for fellowships must be emailed by January 27, 2012.
Feedback, comments, or suggestions are welcome please email asamail@amstat.org with your ideas.