January 2012 Edition

Statistical Outreach & News

FY13 FEDERAL BUDGET REQUEST TO BE ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY

The president’s FY13 budget request will be released February 6. Watch the ASA Community and ASA science policy tweets for NSF, NIH, and the statistical agencies’ requested budgets.

STATISTICS FOR FUTURE PRESIDENTS?

ASA Science Policy Director Steve Pierson is asking for your thoughts about what a statistics book for future policymakers might include (inspired by Physics for Future Presidents.) Provide feedback.

FEATURED BLOG: THE BIG MISTAKE TEACHING STATISTICS AS MATH

The “... aftermath” column in the November 2011 issue of the MAA’s Math Horizons perfectly embodies the big mistake some mathematicians commit when they teach introductory statistics courses: thinking of stat as a branch of math, teaching stat as though it were math, and seeing in stat only the math that’s used. Read more.

ASA science policy now on Twitter. Follow us at @ASA_SciPol.

Meetings, Education, & Events

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. 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 – ONLINE REGISTRATION CLOSES January 31, 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. Online registration closes January 31.

CHICAGO CHAPTER WORKSHOP – Chicago, Illinois – March 30, 2012 

The Chicago-area chapter is hosting a one-day workshop, titled Tetrad: Machine Learning and Graphical Causal Models. The workshop will be presented by Richard Scheines and Joseph Ramsey on March 30 at the Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University. Register.

THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA 5^th ANNUAL CONFERENCE ON CLINICAL TRIALS - Philadelphia, PA - April 18, 2012

The conference will focus on Emerging Statistical Issues in Biomarker Validation for Clinical Trials. (ASA and Society for Clinical Trials co-sponsors). Leading scientists will make formal presentations, and panel and open discussions will challenge ideas, and propose future directions. Participants from academe, industry, and government are encouraged to register.  For additional information please Contact Donna Zikowitz at 215-573-2728.

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 is forthcoming.

2012 ASA CONFERENCE ON RADIATION AND HEALTH – Kennebunkport, ME – June 10–13, 2012

The 2012 ASA Conference on Radiation and Health will take place June 10-13 in Kennebunkport, Maine. The 2012 conference marks the 20th convening of the ASA Conference on Radiation and Health, which offers a unique forum for discussing the qualitative aspects of radiation health research in a multidisciplinary setting. The conference will include more than 20 invited speakers and discussants, who will participate in two sessions per day over three and a half days. Each presentation will allow extensive opportunity for audience participation during and following the talk. Sessions will be held in the morning and evening, so afternoons are open for discussion and allow maximum interaction among conference participants.

4th ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ESTABLISHMENT SURVEYS (ICESIV) – Montreal, Quebec, Canada - June 11–14, 2012: REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

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 successful, with more than 400 delegates per conference. The conferences covered a broad spectrum of survey methods for businesses, farms, and institutions. Online registration is open through May 23.

YOUNG BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL STATISTICANS OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY FOR BUSINESS AND INDUSTRIAL STATISTICS – Lisbon, Portugal - July 23–26, 2012

The Young Business and Industrial Statisticians (y-BIS) of the International Society for Business and Industrial Statistics, is organizing its first international conference for undergraduates, PhD candidates, post-docs, assistant professors, and anyone studying statistics or who is interested in learning more about the profession. y-BIS is accepting proposals for invited paper sessions (60 minutes with 3 speakers, or 2 speakers plus a discussant). These invited sessions must have a specific topic and/or be organized by an institution such as a company, bank, university, or scientific society. Submit a proposal before February 29.

JSM 2012 – CALL FOR ABSTRACTS - San Diego, California – July 28–August 2, 2012 – ABSTRACT SUBMISSION DEADLINE: February 1, 2012, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Help us plan a great JSM! Abstract submission for JSM 2012 is now open. Note that JSM registration is required when submitting an abstract to be considered for the 2012 program. Register for JSM. Submit an abstract. 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. Visit the 2012 JSM website to learn more and view upcoming JSM-related deadlines. Questions.

EVENTS CALENDAR

Statistical events are happening around the country and the globe. View our Upcoming Events Calendar.

Off the Press

EDITORS AND CO-EDITORS SOUGHT – APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 10, 2012

Would you be perfect as editor or co-editor for one of the ASA’s journals? Applications for co-editor of JBES and editor of the Journal of the American Statistical Association, Applications and Case Studies, are being taken until February 10. Be part of the ASA’s long tradition of excellence in statistical publishing!

SIGNIFICANCE MAGAZINE ONLINE WEB EXCLUSIVES

Bibliometrics and the Leiden Ranking

Bibliometrics is defined as the statistical analysis of a body of literature. The name for the field and the practice have been around for several decades; however, only recently have researchers become better able to measure the impact of academic literature universities publish. Read more.

Read more web exclusives from Significance.

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!

Technometrics

* Design of Experiments for Categorical Repeated Measurements in Packet Communication Networks, by Ben M. Parker, Steven G. Gilmour, and John A. Schormans

JASA

* Population value decomposition, by Crainiceanu et al.

JCGS

* Extracting Sunbeams from Cucumbers, by Richard A. Feinberg and Howard Wainer

* Early Computational Statistics, by Mitchell Watnik

* JCGS@20, Visuals@40, Interface@45, & !!Challenges!!, by Arnold Goodman

JBES

* Sensitivity of Impulse Responses to Small Low-Frequency Co-Movements: Reconciling the Evidence on the Effects of Technology Shocks, by Nikolay Gospodinov, Alex Maynard, and Elena Pesavento

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 access features such as automatic email alerts when a new issue publishes by registering.

Member Opportunities

ASA CAREER OPPORTUNITY: 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.

ASA-SIAM BOOK SERIES

Thinking about writing a book? Consider the only book series of the ASA—the ASA-SIAM Series on Statistics and Applied Probability. Books of interest to their readers may advance knowledge to state-of-the-art levels, provide novel or updated methods to implement known techniques, or present comprehensive tutorials or surveys on specific applications of wide interest. Contact series acquisitions editor Sara Murphy for a book proposal form or more information.

AMERICAN STATISTICAL ASSOCIATION’S FELLOWSHIP and RESEARCH PROGRAMS – APPLICATION DEADLINE: January 27, 2012

The ASA, 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 (BLS), use BLS data and facilities, and interact with BLS staff. Applications for fellowships must be emailed by January 27.

APPLY FOR NEW INNOVATION IN ANALYTICS AWARD

This new prize in analytics, sponsored by the INFORMS Section on Analytics, recognizes creative and unique developments, applications, or combinations of analytical techniques to provide business insights and value. The deadline to apply is January 31, and application is open to all. You need not be a member of INFORMS to enter. Send questions and submissions to the president of INFORMS Analytics Section, Michael Gormant.

MATHEMATICS OF PLANET EARTH COMPETITION FOR AN OPEN SOURCE EXHIBITION OF VIRTUAL MODULES

This competition is part of the world initiative Mathematics of Planet Earth 2013 (MPE2013). The modules could be reproduced and used by users around the world, from science museums to schools. The exhibition will have a virtual part, as well as instructions to realize material parts. The competition will be open until May 15. Prize winners will be selected by an international jury nominated by MPE2013 and announced in August. The winning modules will occupy a prominent place on the website of the exhibition. Moreover, it is planned to show the modules of the overall winners in exhibitions and museums.

‘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.

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.

AWARDS ANNOUNCEMENTS

Upcoming award deadlines include ASA Fellows and the ASA SPAIG Award (March 2). For more deadlines and contact information for ASA national awards, special lectureships, and COPSS awards, please visit the following links: ASA awards and scholarships and COPSS awards.