Statistical Sciences in Government

Federal, state, and local governments employ statisticians to plan statistical surveys and studies, to make forecasts and projections, and to conduct methodological testing and statistical research. Government agencies also support academic research in the statistical sciences.

The ASA monitors events in Congress that involve statistics and periodically releases statements about such events. The ASA also maintains memberships in the Council of Professional Associations on Federal Statistics (COPAFS) and the Consortium of Social Science Associations (COSSA).

Government Resources

• Government Policies Affecting Statistical Sciences, including data collection standards for commonly collected variables such as a person's race.

• Papers and reports issued by government agencies on Statistical Methods and Research.

• Agencies that provide Fellowships and Grants for Research in the Statistical Sciences, including contacts.
  

• Statistical Jobs in Government.

• Federal Government Agencies Engaged in Statistical Activities .

• Federal Committees and Meetings on Government Statistics.

• Statistics Produced by the Federal Government

ASA Activities

• Don A. Dillman Analyzes Palm Beach County Florida Ballot (2000 U.S. Presidential Election)

• Proposed changes to OMB Circular A110, the guidance regulating government grants and comments submitted by ASA President Jonas H. Ellenberg, Ph.D. Also read the letter to F. James Charney from April 1, 1999 and September 9, 1999.

• Supporting case for H.R. 2558, The Statistical Efficiency Act of 1999.
  
  

• Census 2000 Issues:

  1. BRIEF OF AMICUS CURIAE: ASA defense of statistically designed sampling as a valid, important, and generally accepted scientific method for gaining accurate knowledge about widely dispersed human populations.

  2. Blue Ribbon Panel Charge: Panel established with the purpose of (i) addressing the appropriateness of using statistical methods as part of conducting the decennial census and, (ii) assessing the arguments being put forth publicly about the use of the particular statistical methods that the Bureau of the Census is planning to use in taking the 2000 census

  3. Executive Summary of the Blue Ribbon Panel

  4. February 1998 President's Corner Article in Amstat News on sampling and the 2000 Census

  5. Letter to Congressman Sawyer on House Resolution 508 regarding the use of statistical sampling methods in the 2000 Census.

  6. Technical Attachment about why the result of a sample can be more accurate than the result of a census.

  7. Sign-on Letter on the American Community Survey
     
     

• The Information Anti-Piracy Act:

  1. July, 1998 - Letter to Senator Orrin G. Hatch
     

  2. January, 1998 - Letter to Congressman Howard Coble, Chairman, House Subcommittee on Courts and Intellectual Property
     

  3. January 1998 - Letter to Mildred Dresselhaus, President, American Association for the Advancement of Science
     

  4. December 1997 - Endorsement of the Statement on Intellectual Property Protection for Databases

• Section on Government Statistics

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