Paul Beatty, SRMS Program Chair for JSM 2011
JSM 2011 is now behind us. The conference, held in Miami Beach, provided the usual mix of science and camaraderie, along with the added benefits of beach, sunshine, and excellent Latin food. As always, offerings from the Survey Research Methods Section (SRMS) figured prominently on the JSM program.
This year, we had four invited sessions, 15 topic-contributed sessions, 19 contributed sessions, 12 posters, and four roundtables, in addition to more than 20 co-sponsored sessions. Topics ranged from theoretical to applied, including design, data collection, and analysis. In putting the program together, we tried to ensure there was something for everyone interested in survey statistics.
Many helped bring the 2011 SRMS program together, a process that spanned the better part of the year. A small army of folks at the ASA kept the pieces together and provided considerable logistical support. Mike Larsen, SRMS program chair-elect, organized the roundtables and contributed good judgment and feedback throughout the planning; he’s already working on the program for 2012.
Other sections’ program chairs also proved to be valued collaborators during the few days in late February when we finally assembled the 2011 program. Inevitably, proposed sessions are sometimes one paper short (or have one too many), while others don’t coalesce into something coherent—or, when they finally do, a newly discovered stack of abstracts requires re-thinking. My colleagues Iris Shimizu (Government Statistics), Nancy Clusen (Social Statistics), and Recai Yucel (Health Policy Statistics) offered useful feedback, some mixing and matching of submissions, and good cheer. I think we were all happy with the final product, and seeing the results of the planning made the Miami conference particularly gratifying.
Serving as 2011 SRMS program chair was a great way to contribute to the ASA and provided an opportunity to work with some terrific people. It’s been an honor to serve, and I thank the many people in the section who contributed proposals, suggestions, and support throughout the year. I look forward to seeing you all again in San Diego!
Topic-Contributed Sessions for JSM 2012
JSM 2012, to be held in San Diego, California, is far away and the abstract submission process does not open until December 1, but it is not too soon to think about topic-contributed sessions, introductory overview lectures, invited posters, and chairing a session.
A topic-contributed session consists of five speakers (e.g., five talks, four talks and one discussant, or three talks and two discussants) on a chosen theme and is identified as such by the section program chair. Note that JSM participation rules state that topic-contributed discussions count as a presentation. If you are planning to organize such a session, contact Larsen at mlarsen@bsc.gwu.edu and encourage speakers to submit abstracts early.
It is also possible to have a topic-contributed poster cluster of 3–6 posters. Again, contact Larsen if you plan to do this and encourage speakers to submit abstracts soon after December 1. Be sure to select SRMS as the section.
Introductory overview lectures (IOLs) provide relatively brief, high-quality introductions to important and timely survey topics. IOLs can present summaries and introductions to timely and rapidly developing topics. Let Larsen know if you are interested in pursuing a survey IOL for JSM 2012. The deadline for organizing one is in November, and JSM rules allow you to give an IOL and another presentation.
Invited poster sessions usually consist of 10–12 participants, making it a good way to organize poster presentations by several people from an organization, committee, or interest group or to present a topic that has several components, such as a large and complex survey. Consider reaching out broadly to others doing work in areas related to yours to recruit presenters. If you have an idea for an invited poster session with a survey theme, please let Larsen know. As with other presentations, speakers should submit abstracts during the regular submission process. The deadline for organizing an invited poster session is in November, so please try to organize these by the end of October. JSM rules allow one to give an invited poster and another presentation.
Would you like to chair a session for SRMS? Chairs communicate with speakers via email before the session, introduce speakers, keep time, and generally manage the session during JSM. It can be a good way to meet people and let others notice you at the big meeting. If you are interested in chairing a session, let Larsen know. Include your contact information and feel free to mention your interests; Larsen will try to match you to a session consistent with your requests if possible.
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