The Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award was established to recognize members of the media for their presentation of the science of statistics and its role in public life. The award can be given for a single statistical presentation or for sustained worthy contributions to the statistical profession.
Selection Criteria:
– Correctness, clarity, fairness, brevity, and professionalism of communications
– Importance, relevance, and overall effectiveness in affecting the intended audience
– Impact on the growth and national or regional exposure of statistics
– Appreciation for and emphasis of the statistical aspects of a particular issue or event
– Excellent coverage of research on statistics or statistical issues
Recent recipients include Andrew Van Dam (Washington Post) and Jeffrey Mervis (Science Magazine).
Nominations are open through March 1st. We’ve simplified the nomination process to make it easy for folks to submit. Know someone who is doing awesome work? The committee wants to hear about it!
If “statistics” can be seen as “the discipline that concerns the collection, organization, analysis, interpretation, and presentation of data”. Perhaps “excellence in statistical reporting” is demonstrated by publishing about these things via daily blog posts that together form a larger perspective and invite pondering, just like poetry and a poem’s stanza. And perhaps “excellence in statistical reporting” is further demonstrated by communicating about such things through, to, and involving different strata. When this is done by writing about many different subjects like problematic issues concerning particular published research, Paul Meehl, polling, pre-registration, and even proposals concerning alpha. And when this is done by also providing the opportunity for people to comment and discuss, and without much “gotcha” or any such kinds of drama. A recommendation for the “Excellence in Statistical Reporting Award” perhaps doesn’t always need wondering what “media” exactly implies here, or following the official guidelines, or writing an entire saga. Perhaps something just takes some fire and some time to settle and solidify, just like rock forms from molten lava.
Kaiser Fung.