Interest in A
pplying
60
45.3
Frequency chart showing
40 slightly fewer than half of
30.2
21.9
ASA members interested
20 in seeking accreditation
and 30% who might be
0
interested
Yes No
Maybe
The focus groups noted that accredita-
22% interested in seeking accreditation
tion may be most beneficial to younger
and 30% who might be interested.
Professional
practitioners, the lone operator, consul-
tants in the private sector, and those with Committee on Individual
Accreditation
only a master’s degree. It also would be
Accreditation
helpful to those without statistical back-
Based on the results of the focus groups
grounds who are hiring and for the gener-
and other input, the task force recom-
Is it for all
al public. They also thought accreditation
mended the ASA board establish a special
may be helpful internationally.
purpose committee to develop a detailed
statisticians?
Participants acknowledged the dif-
editation
proposal for an accreditation program that
ficulty of recruitment into the field and
the ASA board can vote on. The com-
felt the effect of an accreditation program
Who will benefit the most?
mittee was formed in March 2007 and
on recruitment should be considered.
is charged with developing a proposed
They asked, “Will accreditation limit or
operating structure to include criteria for
What do other
enhance the field?”
professional
ccr
granting accreditation, length of accredita-
They also expressed concern about
tion, and application and approval process;
the possible creation of a class system
statistical societies do?
identifying possible legal constraints, costs,
between accredited statisticians who are
and other relevant details that will need to
not accredited. A related concern was that
be resolved; and coordinating with other
some qualified statisticians might not be
ASA committees and sections to solicit
The ad hoc Committee on
able to obtain accreditation due to cost or
other factors.
their views and input.
Individual Accreditation Following the presentation of a
recently set up a web site with
Survey Results
program structure by the committee,
answers to these questions and
The multipart survey question for long-
the ASA board will vote on whether
more. The site also includes
time members listed components of an
to undertake the establishment of an
accreditation program.
links to recent articles about
accreditation program as identified by
To facilitate communication with the
professional accreditation
the focus groups and asked respondents
membership through committees and sec-
to choose all they thought should be
and a set of frequently asked
tions, the accreditation committee devel-
included in an accreditation program,
questions. You may provide
oped a list of frequently asked questions
as well as providing an option to add
about individual accreditation, which was
your comments (anonymously) any not listed. Experience working in
published with answers in the December
or post specific questions to
the area of specialization, the authoring
2007 issue of Amstat News.
committee members.
of technical reports, and good standing
The committee seeks the input of ASA
with the ASA with no ethical violations members. There will be an open meeting at
were the criteria most often selected as JSM in Denver Tuesday, August 5, at 4:00
very important. At the time of tabula-
p.m. in the Colorado Convention Center,
tion, 430 responses had been received. A
Room 206. Committee members will be
more extensive discussion is in the JSM
there to hear your thoughts and answer
Go to
Proceedings paper by Batcher.
questions. The ASA is also hosting a web
www.amstat.org/comm/
r
ofessional A The criterion question was followed by
page at
www.amstat.org/comm/accreditation
accreditation.
a question about the respondents’ interest
where you can leave comments and ask
questions. We hope to hear from many
in personally applying for accreditation.
P
members, either in Denver, in person, or
As shown in the frequency chart, slight-
via the web page. n
ly fewer than half were not, with about
8 AMSTAT NEWS JULY 2008
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