ASA Member News Archive
ASA Member News May 2012
May 2012 Edition
Statistical Outreach & News
HOUSE VOTES TO ELIMINATE AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY
The U.S. House of Representatives voted May 9 to eliminate the American Community Survey (ACS). The rolling survey was established in 2005 to replace the Census Long Form and asks questions on demographic, housing, social and economic characteristics. The ACS data is invaluable to federal, state and local governments and can also benefit researchers and the business community. For more information, see the blog entry at the ASA Community on the importance of the ACS to smart government and the economy.
WHEN STATISTICS EDUCATION AND STATE POLICY MEET
In this month’s science policy column, Christine Franklin shares how she was instrumental in the state of Georgia’s decision to incorporate statistics into its K–12 curriculum standards. She details her experiences, lending insight into her challenges and the impact of her contributions. She also offers advice to those seeking to have more statistics in their state’s education curriculum. Read more here.
C-SPAN FEATURES FEDERAL STATISTICS
C-SPAN's Washington Journal has been running a segment called "America By the Numbers" that features information from the federal statistical system. Many statistical agency heads and others from the statistical agencies have already appeared on the program. These features allow for a dialogue about the statistics behind the news. See a summary of past programs. To see notifications of upcoming C-Span segments, "Like" the American Statistical Association on Facebook and follow Amstat News on Twitter: @AmstatNews.
CONGRESS CONTINUES FY13 BUDGET WORK
In addition to eliminating the American Community Survey in floor consideration, the House cut an additional $24 million from the U.S. Census Bureau budget but left intact the Appropriations Committee’s 4 percent increase for the NSF. The news is better on the Senate side where the Census Bureau is funded above its FY12 level and proposed increases for the Bureau of Economic Analysis and the National Agricultural Statistics Service are fully funded. The Senate also provided a $5 million boost (11 percent) for the Bureau of Justice Statistics but that still leaves BJS $10 short of its FY11 level. All FY13 appropriations developments for the federal statistical agencies, NSF and NIH will be tracked over the next many months at FY13 NSF and NIH Budget Developments and FY13 Statistical Agency Budget Developments.
ASA 2013 ELECTION RESULTS ARE IN
The American Statistical Association announced the results of its recent officer and board elections. Among the newly appointed elects are ASA’s 109th President Nathaniel Schenker and James L. Rosenberger who was selected as the ASA vice president. Also elected were new officers for each of ASA’s 25 sections. Complete election results are available.
ASA NAMES 48 NEW FELLOWS
ASA has elected 48 of its members as Fellows of the Association. The recipients were recognized for their outstanding professional contributions to and leadership in the field of statistical science. The Fellows will receive their certificates at a ceremony on Tuesday evening, July 31, at the annual Joint Statistical Meetings, to be held this year in San Diego, California. “The 48 individuals honored as 2012 Fellows represent an extraordinary set of accomplishments within the field of statistics,” said Robert N. Rodriguez, ASA president. “Their selection as Fellows signifies that they and their work have earned the admiration of their peers, and I congratulate them on behalf of our association.” The 2012 Fellows are from 18 states and six countries. Read more.
Meetings, Education, & Events
STATISTICAL SCIENCE DELEGATION – RUSSIA – SEPTEMBER 4–16, 2012
There is still time to join your peers on a fascinating statistical science delegation to Russia. As a People to People Citizen Ambassador, you will expand your professional network by meeting colleagues from all over the globe while you broaden your personal horizons exploring the iconic sites of Russia. On a People to People delegation, you will interact with recognized experts in your field, including delegation leaders Robert N. Rodriguez and Ronald L. Wasserstein. Expand your professional knowledge and enhance your value to your organization. Make a global impact by gaining an international perspective and join the delegation today.
SLDM BIENNIAL CONFERENCE – Ann Arbor, MI – June 5–7, 2012
The Section on Statistical Learning and Data Mining will hold its biennial section conference on the University of Michigan campus in Ann Arbor from June 5–7. For students who give poster presentations, the registration fee and part of the travel expenses can be reimbursed. More information can be found on the conference website.
2012 ASA CONFERENCE ON RADIATION AND HEALTH – Kennebunkport, ME – June 10–13, 2012
The 2012 ASA Conference on Radiation and Health continues a decades-long tradition of bringing together leading internationally known scientists and new investigators working in the biophysical, biological, biostatistical, and public health aspects of radiation epidemiology. Morning and evening sessions will be devoted to understanding the state of radiation science and human health, and long afternoons will be free for informal interaction and exploration. All invited speakers are internationally recognized experts in their field. On site registration will be available.
4TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON ESTABLISHMENT SURVEYS (ICESIV) – Montréal, Québec, 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 very successful, with more than 400 delegates per conference. The conferences cover a broad spectrum of survey methods for businesses, farms, and institutions. Online registration is open through May 23. Learn more here.
ALBUQUERQUE CHAPTER TRAVELING COURSE - Santa Fe, New Mexico - June 15, 2012
This meeting will be a one-day short course, Introducing Monte Carlo Methods with R, taught by renowned statistician and teacher George Casella, from the University of Florida. The course is based on material from the book Introducing Monte Carlo Methods with R by Christian Robert and Casella. Copies of all slides will be provided, as well as all R code. Course topics include a review of R syntax and functions, Monte Carlo integration and optimization, and MCMC, including several algorithms and techniques for diagnosing convergence. Course registration is open.
The 21ST AUSTRALIAN STATISTICAL CONFERENCE AND THE 8TH AUSTRALIAN CONFERENCE ON TEACHING STATISTICS - Adelaide, South Australia - July 9–13, 2012
Adelaide will host two major statistical events at the Adelaide Convention Centre: The 21st Australian Statistical Conference (ASC 2012) will be held July 9–12 and the 8th Australian Conference on Teaching Statistics (OZCOTS 2012) will be held July 12–13. Registration is now open.
JOINT STATISTICAL MEETINGS 2012 - San Diego, CA – July 28–Aug 2
JSM 2012, to be held in downtown San Diego’s convention center, will welcome one of the largest groups of individuals interested in and related to the advancement and study of statistics. Meeting activities include oral presentations, panel sessions, poster presentations, Continuing Education courses, the Career Placement Service, the exhibit hall, and other networking opportunities. Early registration is now open.
JSM DIVERSITY WORKSHOP AND MENTORING PROGRAM – San Diego, CA- July 29- August 1
The ASA Committee on Minorities in Statistics (ASA CMS) is hosting a Diversity Workshop and Mentoring Program at JSM in San Diego. The program includes a full-day workshop on Sunday, July 29th, followed by brief formal and informal mentoring opportunities throughout JSM. This program focuses on serving the career development needs of statisticians ranging from student level to mid-career professionals in academia, govt., and industry, facilitating creation of broad and diverse networks of support. Registration for the program is free, but space is limited. For more information and to register, visit the workshops website
MEETING WITHIN A MEETING (MWM) STATISTICS WORKSHOP FOR MIDDLE- AND HIGH-SCHOOL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS – San Diego, California – July 31 and August 1, 2012
MWM will take place in conjunction with the Joint Statistical Meetings this summer in San Diego, California. The workshop is meant to strengthen K–12 mathematics and science teachers’ understanding of statistics and provide them with hands-on activities aligned with the Common Core State Standards they can use in their own classrooms. The cost of the workshop is $50.
BEYOND AP STATISTICS WORKSHOP – San Diego, California – August 1
The ASA/NCTM Joint Committee is pleased to sponsor a Beyond AP Statistics workshop at the annual Joint Statistical Meetings. Organized by Roxy Peck, the BAPS workshop is offered for experienced AP Statistics teachers and consists of enrichment material just beyond the basic AP syllabus. The cost of the workshop is $50.
2012 NISS/ASA WRITING WORKSHOP FOR JUNIOR RESEARCHERS – San Diego, CA (JSM) July 29–August 1
The National Institute of Statistical Science and ASA will hold a writing workshop for junior researchers. The goal of the workshop is to provide instruction for writing journal articles and grant proposals. Participants will be required to provide a recent sample of their writing, which will be reviewed by a senior mentor. The full-day session is scheduled for Sunday, July 29, in San Diego. At the close of the formal activities, mentors will meet individually with participants to go over the writing samples. Attendance is limited and depends on the number of mentors available. Applications are due by June 1, 2012, and successful applicants will be notified by June 30.
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. Register now.
2012 CONFERENCE ON HEALTH STATISTICS – Washington, DC – August 6–8, 2012
The biennial Conference on Health Statistics focuses on the critical importance of public health data affecting the health and well-being of the U.S. population. Included in the 2012 conference is a one-day learning institute on August 6, in which participants will receive hands-on training for accessing and analyzing NCHS survey data and explore learning modules on the use of selected data access tools. This year’s expanded exhibitor showcase and poster sessions offer another venue for insight into NCHS survey operations and data analysis.
CONFERENCE OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RESEARCH ON INCOME AND WEALTH – Boston, MA – August 15, 2012
The Bureau of Economic Analysis is hosting the 32nd General Conference of the International Association for Research on Income and Wealth. The general conference provides a forum for statistical officials and experts from around the world to present new research findings on topics related to national accounting, well-being, and income distribution. One outcome of this research is the development of new economic indicators that will help address some of the most important challenges confronting the global economy. Registration is now open.
ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY 2012 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE – Telford International Centre, UK – September 3–6, 2012
The Royal Statistical Society’s 2012 International Conference program includes plenary talks from Hal Varian (Google), Martine Durand (OECD), and David Hand (Imperial College), as well as more than 30 invited sessions covering topics as diverse as aging in the 21st century, experimental design challenges in industry, measuring national well-being, and statistics and the Olympics. The conference also will feature a stream of professional development workshops and a full pre-conference short course program. Register for the conference now.
2012 ASA BIOPHARMACEUTICAL SECTION FDA/INDUSTRY STATISTICS WORKSHOP – Washington, DC – September 12–14, 2012
The ASA’s Biopharmaceutical Section will host the FDA/Industry Statistics Workshop September 12–14 at the Washington Marriott Wardman Park. Short courses are scheduled on the first day, followed by two days of sessions on the science and statistics associated with the development of new medical products (pharmaceuticals, biologics, and devices). The workshop has been popular since its inception because it is designed specifically for statisticians from industry, academia, and the FDA, providing a forum for open dialogue about issues of mutual interest. Registration will open on June 4, 2012.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Statistical events are happening around the country and the globe. View our Upcoming Events Calendar.
Off the Press
AMSTAT NEWS
REACHING 20k
The ASA will celebrate its 175th anniversary in 2014. In preparation, column “175”—written by members of the ASA’s 175th Anniversary Steering Committee and other ASA members—will chronicle the theme chosen for the celebration, status of preparations, activities to take place, and, best yet, how you can get involved in propelling the ASA toward its bicentennial. Read more here.
SIGNIFICANCE MAGAZINE ONLINE WEB EXCLUSIVES
WORDS AND NUMBERS—DATA JOURNALISM FOR ALL (except perhaps Rupert Murdoch)
This article explains one of the newest trends in journalism: data journalism. Data journalism can be described as extracting stories from numbers, and although it has yet to be widely used, it is a field that is becoming increasingly popular. Read more here.
Read more web exclusives from Significance.
Member Opportunities
CAREER DEVELOPMENT WEBINAR FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
The Section for Statistical Programmers and Analysts is sponsoring the webinar “Critical Interview Strategies and Skills,” to be presented by professional career counselor John Hadley on Tuesday, July 10. Hadley will share key strategies and techniques to successfully navigate the interview minefield. Registration is open to everyone. The registration fee is only $10 for students. For more information and to register, please visit the ASA’s STATtr@k website.
SECTION ON BAYESIAN STATISTICAL SCIENCES WEBINAR
Dysfunctional Paradigms in Clinical Trials: Some Bayesian Alternatives
The SBSS chapter will host a webinar by Peter Thall of The University of Texas about howconventional methods used for clinical trial design, conduct, or analysis in medical research are deeply flawed. This webinar will identify and describe by example problems with conventional clinical trial paradigms and methods. Most of the alternative methods will be Bayesian or Bayesian-frequentist hybrids. The webinar will take place on June 7 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. Eastern Time. Registration Deadline: June 5, 1:00 p.m. Eastern time.
PROPOSED NEW SECTION ON STATISTICS AND MEASUREMENTS IN PSYCHOLOGY AND EDUCATION
In an effort to embrace the rich shared tradition of statistics, psychology, and education and to recognize the increased interest of ASA members in topics related to psychology and education, a section titled Statistics and Measurement in Psychology and Education is being considered. Part of the charter for a new section is to have petitions from at least 100 ASA members saying they would join the section and actively participate in its activities. Current members who would join and participate in the section, should it be approved by the ASA, are encouraged to send an email to Ken Kelley with a statement of support and their name, email address, and ASA member ID.
CHAPTER-SPONSORED COURSES AND WORKSHOPS
There are nine upcoming courses and workshops sponsored by ASA chapters. For dates, locations, descriptions, and registration information, visit the Council of Chapters website. If your chapter is sponsoring an upcoming event and would like it posted to the COC website, contact ASA chapter liaison, Rick Peterson, with the relevant information and link to the chapter’s website where additional information can be found.
PROJECT-SET
Project-SET is a new NSF-funded project to develop curricular materials that enhance the ability of high-school teachers to foster students’ statistical learning regarding sampling variability and regression. All materials will be geared toward helping high-school teachers implement the Common Core State Standards for statistics and are closely aligned with the learning goals outlined in Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE) Report: A Pre-K–12 Curriculum Framework. Materials will be available in January of 2013.
ASA COMMUNITY DISCUSSION POSTINGS
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LESSON PLANS AVAILABLE/WANTED ON STATISTICS EDUCATION WEB FOR K-12 TEACHERS
Statistics Education Web (STEW) is an online resource for peer-reviewed lesson plans for K–12 teachers. The lesson plans identify both the statistical concepts being developed and the age range appropriate for its use. Lesson plans will showcase the use of statistical methods and ideas in science and mathematics based on the framework and levels in the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE). The new editor of STEW, Mary Richardson of Grand Valley State University, is accepting submissions of lesson plans for an online bank of peer-reviewed lessons for K–12 teachers of mathematics and science. Consider submitting several of your favorite lesson plans according to the STEW template to steweditor@amstat.org.
2012 ASA 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.
JANET NORWOOD AWARD
The Section on Statistical Genetics and the department of biostatistics in the school of public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham request nominations for the eleventh annual Janet L. Norwood Award for Outstanding Achievement by a Woman in the Statistical Sciences. The award recipient will deliver a lecture on September 12 at the UAB award ceremony and receive travel expenses and a $5,000 prize. Visit the UAB website for details.
ASA-SIAM
The electronic materials accompanying Mathematica Laboratories for Mathematical Statistics: Emphasizing Simulation and Computer Intensive Methods by Jenny A. Baglivo (ASA-SIAM, 2005) have been updated for use with current versions of Mathematica and are now available online. Potential users interested in requesting an examination or desk copy, or current users who wish to obtain access to the updated online materials, should visit the site.
STATISTICS WITHOUT BORDERS SEEKS VOLUNTEERS FOR INSTRUCTORS OF STATISTICS AND SURVEY METHODS IN NORTH KOREA
Statistics without Borders is looking for volunteer instructors to spend one to four weeks this July at the first Pyongyang Summer Institute in Survey Science and Quantitative Methodology (PSI) in North Korea. The courses will cover a variety of statistical and survey areas and take place at the Pyongyang University of Science and Technology. For more information, see the SWB Facebook page.
ASA ACCREDITATION PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW
The ASA’s accreditation program has recently expanded the benefits of becoming an Accredited Professional Statistician™. 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. New benefits include free LearnStat on Demand access, 20% discount on regular Continuing Education courses (starting at JSM 2012), and special recognition, including a special PStat®-only reception at JSM 2012. To find out how to start enjoying extra benefits today, visit the accreditation website and review the guidelines to be sure of your eligibility.
BRIDGING THE GAP BETWEEN COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS AND TEACHING STATISTICS
Now available in the ASA Marketplace, Bridging the Gap offers 20 data analysis and probability investigations written as guides for teachers to implement straightforwardly in their K-8 classrooms. Each investigation is based on the four-step statistical process as defined by the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education (GAISE).
Feedback, comments, or suggestions are welcome please email asamail@amstat.org with your ideas.