An interesting call for papers from a U.S. organisation (APDU) --

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Robin Rice				[log in to unmask] (or)
Data Librarian				[log in to unmask]
Edinburgh University Data Library	0131 651 1431  (or)
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Edinburgh EH8 9LJ			http://datalib.ed.ac.uk

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Tue, 5 Jan 99 16:41:33 EST
From: Wendy Treadwell <[log in to unmask]>
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: APDU CALL FOR PAPERS

CALL FOR PAPERS FOR THE FIRST ISSUE OF "OF SIGNIFICANCE..." A NEW  
PUBLICATION OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PUBLIC DATA USERS
**Please excuse any cross posting**
You may send this posting to other appropriate lists or individuals.


Statistical Literacy

With the increased use of the internet and the acknowledgment of the  
value of information, the discussion of the need for an information  
literate public has grown.  Schools are focusing on teaching students to  
evaluate the quality of the information they find as well as how to  
locate it. Colleges and Universities are identifying information literacy  
as a core competency and academic goal for their students. Information  
literacy is being discussed as a requirement for an informed and active  
citizenry as well as a means of developing this skill within the general  
population.

One aspect of information literacy which is not frequently discussed is  
that of statistical literacy. Statistical literacy is broader than  
specific knowledge of basic statistical methodologies and the ability to  
perform certain mathematical functions. For the general populace, it is  
the ability to recognize a 'good' number from a 'bad' one, a questionable  
citation from one that provides sufficient information for the reader to  
verify the source of the information provided. It is a conceptual  
understanding of probability, of the meaning of statistical variance or  
standard errors and why they are important, and the implication of using  
various sampling processes on the accuracy of results.

As advocates of broad public access to statistical data, APDU shares  
both a concern for the development of a statistically literate populace  
and a responsibility for helping to ensure that development. Given the  
increased public involvement in the discussion of the federal data  
collection process, as well as the promise of increased access to an  
ever-growing amount of federal data through the unmediated environment of  
the internet, we feel that it is very appropriate that the first issue  
of the new APDU
publication, "Of Significance," will address the topic of statistical  
literacy.

"Of Significance" seeks to provide a range of articles, insights, and  
positions on a given topic within each issue. We are seeking proposals  
for contributions to the first issue on the topic of statistical  
literacy. Possible focuses for articles might include:

. programs in statistical literacy
. What does a statistically literate public look like
. Role of data producers in promoting statistical literacy
. Using the press to develop a statistically literate public
. Programs addressing statistical literacy in post-secondary institutes
. Programs addressing statistical literacy outside of the United States
. Organizational approaches to promoting statistical literacy (American
Statistical Association, International Statistical Institute, etc.)
. Resources for program development
. Targeted programs for the local community or specific populations

The target publication date for the first issue of "Of Significance" is  
June 1999. Articles are tentatively due May 1, 1999. We are seeking  
proposals for articles of 4 to 10 pages in length focusing on any of the  
areas listed above or otherwise related to the topic of statistical  
literacy.

Proposals are due by February 1, 1999 and should include the following
information:

Name
Position
Organization
Mailing address
E-Mail address
Phone number
Fax number

Title
250 - 500 word description of article
Biographical background (2 - 3 sentences)

Send proposals to (electronic submissions preferred):

Wendy Treadwell
MRDC - University of Minnesota Libraries
2 Wilson Library
309 19th Ave. So.
Minneapolis, MN 55455

Phone:	612-624-4389
FAX: 	612-626-9353
E-Mail:	[log in to unmask]




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