ASA Member News Archive
ASA Member News July 2012
July 2012 Edition
Statistical Outreach & News
SENATOR ROCKEFELLER INTRODUCES BILL TO ADVANCE FORENSIC SCIENCE REFORM
Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), chair of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, introduced a bill last week addressing forensic science reform. The bill promotes an aggressive research agenda overseen by the National Science Foundation and standards development overseen by the National Institutes of Standards and Technology. It also would create a forensic science advisory committee that would include statisticians as members. Read about this bill and how it differs from that of Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Patrick Leahy’s bill, S. 132, in this ASA Community blog entry.
HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS PANEL FOR NIH, AHRQ, AND THREE STATISTICAL AGENCIES PRESENT FY12 FUNDING BILL
The House Labor, Health, and Human Services (LHHS) appropriations subcommittee presented its draft bill for fiscal year 2013 on July 18. The bill flat funds the National Institutes of Health for FY13 and terminates the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality altogether. The bill also prohibits funding to "be used for any economic research programs, projects, or activities," a move believed to be aimed at preventing implementation of the Affordable Care Act and specifically funding comparative effectiveness research. The House FY13 LHHS bill levels for the Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics, and National Center for Education Statistics are yet to be revealed. Details will be posted at the following ASA Community blog entries where FY13 appropriations developments are being tracked: FY13 NSF and NIH Budget Developments and FY13 Statistical Agency Budget Developments.
FUTURE OF AMERICAN COMMUNITY SURVEY REMAINS TO BE DETERMINED; MANDATORY REQUIREMENT AND FUNDING LEVELS UP IN THE AIR
With the House of Representatives vote in May to make the American Community Survey (ACS) voluntary and then to eliminate the ACS altogether, attention has turned to the Senate for clues about the future of the ACS. For an update on the situation, the various dynamics, and the actions the ASA is taking with other U.S. Census Bureau stakeholders to protect the ACS, see this ASA Community blog entry.
HOUSE SPENDING BILL PROHIBITS USE OF INCENTIVES IN SOME FEDERAL SURVEYS
During the House floor consideration of an FY13 appropriations bill, Rep. Scott Tipton (R-CO) successfully amended the bill to prohibit any of the funds in it to be used "to conduct a survey in which money is included or provided for the benefit of the responder.” For details, see this ASA Community blog entry.
WITH SEQUESTRATION CUTS SIX MONTHS AWAY, ACTIVITY PICKS UP TO AVOID THEM
With the across-the-board budget cuts from the Budget Control Act of 2011 due to take effect in January, discussions and efforts to avoid the cuts have been picking up. One prominent research group estimates 8% cuts for NSF and NIH. For more, see this ASA Community blog entry.
TO RECEIVE UPDATES ABOUT ASA SCIENCE POLICY ACTIVITIES OR NEWS, FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: @ASA_SCIPOL. SEE RECENT TWEETS.
Meetings, Education, & Events
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 the advancement and study of statistics. Registration is open.
JSM TOURS - San Diego, CA – July 29 – August 1
Make the most of your time in Southern California! A limited number of tours and excursions on both land and sea are still available, allowing you to explore the best of what the region has to offer. Register today for these customized tours that have been put together to fit your busy JSM schedule. Due to the limited availability, tour sales may not be available onsite at JSM. If interested, do not delay your registration.
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 29, 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, government, 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 workshop website.
2012 TRAIN THE TRAINER: HOW TO PRESENT A SHORT COURSE ON EFFECTIVE PRESENTATIONS - San Diego, CA – July 29
Jeanine Buchanich of the University of Pittsburgh—along with Jennifer Van Mullekom, a senior consulting statistician in Dupont's Applied Statistics Group—will present a short course on how to train others in making effective presentations. Topics covered will include communication, delivery dimensions, audiences, use of pointers, visual communication, oral communication, proofreading, and room setting and arrangement. Prerequisites are a willingness to teach short courses about effective presentations to statisticians in your local area and presentation skills acquired through prior attendance of a course about how to make effective presentations or from giving numerous presentations. Learn more and register.
MEETING WITHIN A MEETING (MWM) STATISTICS WORKSHOP FOR MIDDLE- AND HIGH-SCHOOL MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE TEACHERS – San Diego, California – July 31 and August 1
MWM will take place in conjunction with the Joint Statistical Meetings 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 that 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 on Curriculum in Statistics and Probability is pleased to sponsor a Beyond AP Statistics workshop at the annual Joint Statistical Meetings. Organized by Roxy Peck, the 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.
INTERNATIONAL CENSUS AT SCHOOL WORKSHOP - San Diego, California - August 2
Participants in the MWM or BAPS workshops also are invited to attend the International Census at School Workshop on Thursday, August 2. Census at School is a free, international classroom project that engages students in grades 4–12 in statistical problemsolving using their own real data. International Census at School leaders will provide a workshop to assist middle- and high-school teachers to use Census at School to teach statistical problemsolving using real student data and introduce curriculum resources and technology. The ASA is seeking champions to help expand the U.S. Census at School program nationally. This is a wonderful opportunity for chapters, statisticians, and statistics educators to perform outreach in their communities. To get involved with Census at School, please contact Rebecca Nichols.
2012 CONFERENCE ON HEALTH STATISTICS – Washington, DC – August 6–8
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 National Center for Health Statistics (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
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
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.
2012 ASA BIOPHARMACEUTICAL SECTION FDA-INDUSTRY STATISTICS WORKSHOP – Washington, DC – September 12–14
We hope you will join us September 12–14, 2012, at the Marriott Wardman Park in Washington, DC, for the 2012 ASA Biopharmaceutical Section FDA-Industry Statistics Workshop. The FDA-Industry Statistics Workshop is sponsored by the ASA Biopharmaceutical Section in cooperation with the FDA Statistical Association. Each year, the conference lasts two days, with 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. Participants can select from luncheon roundtables on Tuesday. Make sure to register early to get the luncheon of your choice. Register now.
IAOS CONFERENCE ON OFFICIAL STATISTICS: GETTING OUR MESSAGE ACROSS – Ukraine - September 12–14
The IAOS conference covers relevant topics for official statistics. There will be both plenary sessions and panel discussions. We expect to receive your papers and presentations. Areas covered by the conference include standards for statistical reporting and commentary writing and statistical and graphical presentation techniques, including the use of trend analysis and data visualization. The working languages of the conference will be English, Russian, and Ukrainian. Simultaneous interpretation between them will be provided.
2012 INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON METHODS FOR SURVEYING AND ENUMERATING HARD-TO-REACH POPULATIONS – New Orleans, LA – October 31–November 3
This 2012 H2R conference will bring together survey methodologists, sociologists, statisticians, demographers, ethnographers, policy analysts, and other professionals from around the world to present new and innovative concepts and techniques for surveying hard-to-reach populations. The conference will address both the statistical and survey design aspects of including hard-to-reach groups and serve as a venue to network and share research and experiments designed to advance our understanding of the topic. Register by August 15 to receive the early bird registration rate.
EVENTS CALENDAR
Statistical events are happening around the country and the globe. View our Upcoming Events Calendar.
Off the Press
AMSTAT NEWS
JSM 2012 INVITED SESSION PROPOSALS SOUGHT
The 2013 Joint Statistical Meetings will take place in Montréal, Québec, Canada, and the program committee is soliciting proposals for invited sessions, a highlight of the program featuring cutting-edge work and attracting sizeable crowds. Most invited sessions originate from proposals put together by members of the sponsoring societies, and that includes you. Read more.
SIGNIFICANCE MAGAZINE ONLINE WEB EXCLUSIVES
POWER UP: ENERGY USE
In a continuing series of extracts from the upcoming book Olympic Britain, Paul Bolton explores energy and its uses over the last century. Olympic Britain shows through statistics the changing face of Britain since the previous London Olympics of 1908 and 1948. Read more.
Read more web exclusives from Significance.
ASA MEMBERS’ ACCESS TO JOURNAL ARCHIVES GREATLY EXPANDED
You know ASA journals on Taylor & Francis Online bring you the latest in statistical developments and research. Did you know ASA members now have access to almost every issue the ASA has ever published? Log in to ASA Members Only and enjoy access to almost every issue of the Journal of the American Statistical Association, The American Statistician, Journal of Computational and Graphical Statistics, and Statistics in Biopharmaceutical Research. Access to Journal of Business & Economic Statistics articles is coming soon! ASA and ASQ members who subscribe to the online version of Technometrics also have full access to back issues.
To receive updates on ASA activities and news during JSM, follow us on Twitter @AmstatNews.
Member Opportunities
RAO PRIZE AWARD
The C. R. and Bhargavi Rao Prize was established to honor and recognize outstanding and influential innovations in the theory and practice of mathematical statistics, international leadership in directing statistical research, and pioneering contributions by a recognized leader in the field of statistics. The Rao Prize is awarded by the department of statistics at Penn State University to a nominee selected by the members of the Rao Prize Committee. Nominations for the 2013 Rao Prize should be submitted by December 3, 2012. Visit the website for more information.
AAAS STUDENT POSTER COMPETITION AT 2013 ANNUAL MEETING
The American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) invites students to present their work in poster sessions at its annual meeting in Boston, February 14–18, 2013. Full-time undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply; if selected to present a poster, students will be able to have the meeting registration fee waived by serving as AAAS Meeting Session Aides and will be eligible to apply for travel funding. The deadline for submission of poster abstracts is October 24, 2012. Students and their advisers are urged to take advantage of this unique opportunity to highlight statistical research and its role in interdisciplinary science at the annual meeting of the world’s largest general scientific society. AAAS publishes the highly respected journal Science and is organized into 24 sections representing all areas of science, including Section U (Statistics), which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Apply now.
INFORM NEW ACTIVITIES, PROGRAMS TO SUPPORT K–16 MATHEMATICS, STATISTICS EDUCATION
The National Science Foundation (NSF), in cooperation with the U.S Department of Education (ED), is interested in input that can inform new activities and programs to support and improve K–16 mathematics education. The working group is viewing mathematics to broadly include pure and applied math, statistics, and the computational sciences. For more information and to provide input regarding K–16 mathematics and statistics education, see the NSF Dear Colleague letter and survey.
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 National Science Foundation–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.
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.
ASA-SIAM
The electronic materials accompanying Mathematica Laboratories for Mathematical Statistics: Emphasizing Simulation and Computer Intensive Methods, by Jenny A. Baglivo have been updated for use with current versions of Mathematica and are now available online.
ASA ACCREDITATION PROGRAM CONTINUES TO GROW
The ASA’s accreditation program 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, a 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).
ASA COMMUNITY DISCUSSION POSTINGS
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