Submitted by Gina Walejko, GSS Program Chair

The Government Statistics Section (GSS) organized three invited sessions, including a panel on using multiple data sources for federal statistics; seven topic-contributed sessions, including an update on the US Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking; three roundtables, including a lunch discussion on combating breaks in time series when using multiple data sources; five contributed sessions; and one poster session. In addition to sponsoring these events, GSS is co-sponsoring eight invited sessions, six topic-contributed sessions, and six speed sessions.

In addition, GSS is co-sponsoring a short course with the Section on Survey Research Methods (SRMS), titled “Applications of Hot Deck Imputation to Survey Data,” July 31 with Rebecca Andridge of The Ohio State University and Jenny Thompson of the U.S. Census Bureau as instructors.

Hot deck imputation is commonly used for handling missing data in which each missing value (recipient) is replaced with an observed value from a “similar” unit (donor). This half-day course is designed for survey practitioners who are interested in “seeing the methods in action.” Using examples from household and establishment surveys, the instructors will explore each step of hot deck imputation, beginning with different donor selection options through variance estimation methods. The course will cover classical hot deck methods alongside more cutting-edge approaches, including fractional hot deck imputation. The instructors will share their experiences with challenges that arise in the implementation of the hot deck—such as having fewer donors than recipients—and discuss various methods for overcoming these challenges.

More information about sessions, roundtables, and courses can be found online. As a reminder, roundtable and course space is limited, so sign up soon.