Jill Montaquila

Happy New Year! As you may know, 2013 was declared the International Year of Statistics and, as we usher in 2014, we continue to celebrate our profession.

As evidenced by the Survey Research Methods Section’s (SRMS) full program at the Joint Statistical Meetings, developments in survey research abound. The list of SRMS-sponsored activities at JSM reads a bit like a familiar Christmas carol—invited, topic-contributed, and contributed paper sessions; topic-contributed and contributed poster sessions; a continuing education course; roundtable discussions; and the section’s annual open business meeting. But amidst this slate of “usual” activities, there was a noteworthy addition—the SPEED session, a single session containing 20 five-minute oral presentations, followed by a poster session (later the same day) involving the same presenters. SRMS was one of five ASA sections to participate in piloting the SPEED sessions. With quite a bit of positive feedback from their inaugural test, SPEED sessions will be part of the program for JSM 2014 in Boston.

Plans are also in the works for a series of SRMS-sponsored webinars in 2014. The webinars are announced to the SRMS membership via email and in the section newsletter, and information about upcoming SRMS-sponsored webinars also is provided on the section website. SRMS members also are eligible to register for webinars sponsored by the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) at a discounted rate.

The year 2013 saw the launch of a new scholarly journal that provides an important outlet for new developments in the field of survey research, the Journal of Survey Statistics and Methodology (JSSAM). Co-sponsored by the ASA and AAPOR, JSSAM aims “to publish cutting-edge scholarly articles on statistical and methodological issues for sample surveys, censuses, administrative record systems, and other related data.” Through a special arrangement, Oxford University Press is providing free subscriptions to JSSAM for all members of SRMS for the first three years.

There are many who contributed to SRMS activities during the past year, and I would like to recognize the dedication and contributions of those who served on the executive committee and related committees. These include past chair John Czajka, chair-elect Phil Kott, treasurer Jill Dever, secretary Rebecca Andridge, program chair Frauke Kreuter, program chair-elect Karol Krotki, Council of Sections representatives Chris Moriarity and Jeff Gonzalez, publications officer John Finamore, education officer Marilyn Seastrom, newsletter editors Shelton Jones and Jamie Ridenhour, and webmaster Pushpal Mukhopadhyay.