Statistical Issues in First-in-Man Studies
Proposals for reforms in first trials of experimental drugs
were set out in a report published on 12th March 2007. The
recommendations aim at minimising drug trial risk, maximising
design efficiency and improving protocol review.
- Full report (PDF 864 KB)
- Freedom of Information appeal annex (PDF 116
KB)
Royal Statistical Society Outreach and Services
In 2007, the Society examined how to meet and engage with
the needs of statistical analysts and users of statistics,
and establish a stronger and more co-ordinated outreach.
- Full report (PDF 145 MB)
International Review of
Mathematics (IRM)
An international review of UK research in mathematics
(including statistics) was undertaken in autumn 2003 on behalf of
the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and
the Council for the Mathematical Sciences (CMS).
The final report was published in March 2004.The
Society welcomed it, agreeing with its high praise for UK research
in statistics, but also sharing its concerns about the renewal of
the academic base.
- IRM report (PDF 256 KB)
- Press statement (PDF 90 KB)
- Professor Bernard Silverman's summary (PDF 47 KB)
- EPSRC meeting report (PDF 58 KB)
- Proposal for action (PDF 121
KB)
Post-14
Mathematics
http://www.mathsinquiry.org.uk
Professor Adrian Smith's inquiry into post-14 Mathematics, Making Maths Count, was published in February 2004. It drew attention to many serious problems in school mathematics education in the UK, especially England. The Society strongly agreed with most of the points made by the Report, but was very concerned about a recommendation that much of the statistics content in GCSE Mathematics should be removed and taught instead in various other disciplines.
http://www.mathsinquiry.org.uk
Professor Adrian Smith's inquiry into post-14 Mathematics, Making Maths Count, was published in February 2004. It drew attention to many serious problems in school mathematics education in the UK, especially England. The Society strongly agreed with most of the points made by the Report, but was very concerned about a recommendation that much of the statistics content in GCSE Mathematics should be removed and taught instead in various other disciplines.
- Press release (PDF 92 KB)
- Detailed response (PDF 94 KB)
- Evidence submitted (PDF 100 KB)
- Commentary on proposals arising from
report (PDF 81 KB)
Research Assessment Exercise (RAE)
http://www.rae.ac.uk/The RAE enable the higher education funding bodies to distribute public funds for research selectively on the basis of quality. Institutions conducting the best research receive a larger proportion of the available grant so that the infrastructure for the top level of research in the UK is protected and developed.
- Council for the Mathematical Sciences (CMS) response 2003 (PDF 104 KB)
- CMS response 2002 (PDF 101 KB)
- RSS response 2002 (PDF 102 KB)
- RSS report 2001 (PDF 102 KB)
Performance Monitoring in the Public Services
The Society issued a public statement regarding its views on
performance indicators in the public services on 23 October
2003.
- Full Report (PDF 169 KB)
- Press Release (PDF 64 KB)
- Workshop Notes (PDF 215 KB)
- Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
Presentation (PPT 2.76 MB)
Risk in Society
The assessment of risk in modern society is one of the most obvious areas where clear statistical thinking can have a positive impact on public misconceptions. With this in mind, Series A of the Society's Journal decided to dedicate its June 2003 issue to the question of how to communicate risk to the public. To accompany the journal papers, the Society also commissioned the science journalist Geoff Watts to write an overview of the problems of risk perception in modern society.
The assessment of risk in modern society is one of the most obvious areas where clear statistical thinking can have a positive impact on public misconceptions. With this in mind, Series A of the Society's Journal decided to dedicate its June 2003 issue to the question of how to communicate risk to the public. To accompany the journal papers, the Society also commissioned the science journalist Geoff Watts to write an overview of the problems of risk perception in modern society.
- Series A: Statistics and Society, June 2003
- Geoff Watt overview (DOC 35.5 KB)
- Press
release (PDF 43 KB)
Society and the Law
The RSS has expressed concern over court cases where the
interpretation of statistics has been of concern.
Of particular note is the case of Sally Clark and
miscalculation of the probability of two cases of Sudden Infant
Death Syndrome in a family. Sally Clark has since been released and
the convictions of others such as Angela Cannings and Trupti Patel
overturned, following the discrediting of evidence given at their
trials.
- RSS public statement on the Sally Clark case (PDF 28 KB)
- Letter to the Lord Chancellor (PDF
30.34 KB)
Preserving and Sharing Statistical Data
In 2002, the Royal Statistical Society and the UK Data Archive
worked together on a report that raises organisational
awareness of the value and benefits of preserving and sharing
statistical material.
- Full Report (PDF 1.4 MB)
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