Mission


Section on Government Statistics
GSS offers ongoing dialogues with statisticians involved in the development of techniques and practices related to government statistics and products, advancing knowledge sharing of cutting-edge practices; provides opportunities for members to better understand the levels of quality, continuity, comparability, appropriateness, accessibility, relevance, and timeliness of governmental statistical activities and the role of professional statisticians in public programs; and co-sponsors the Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award, the Wray Jackson Smith Scholarship, the Roger Herriot Award, and the Data Challenge; and sponsors the Pat Doyle Award. GSS also organizes topical workshops, events, continuing educational offerings, and professional development opportunities.

Mission Statement

The special interests of the Section on Government Statistics are in the production and use of statistics by the governmental bodies at all levels of government -- federal, state, and local -- and in the practice of statistics in the public sector. These interests include concern with statistical policy issues, quality and usefulness of governmental data products, special problems of state and local data, and the role of professional statisticians in public programs.

To support these special interests, the Section on Government Statistics shall carry out any or all of the following functions, together with such others as are appropriate:

  1. Assist in the development and advancement of knowledge in techniques and practices that will contribute to excellence in the production and use of government statistics.
  2. Promote a wider understanding of the attained levels of quality, continuity, comparability, appropriateness, accessibility, and timeliness of release of governmental statistical activities for large and small geographic areas.
  3. Encourage professional statistical review of statistical activities carried out by governmental units.
  4. Disseminate information and provide training opportunities for individuals involved in the production and use of government data and statistics.

The Executive Board works on behalf of and with the GSS membership to execute the GSS Mission.  The Government Statistics Section:
  • Offers ongoing dialogues with statisticians involved in the development of techniques and practices related to government statistics and products, advancing knowledge sharing of cutting-edge practices
  • Provides opportunities for members to better understand the levels of quality, continuity, comparability, appropriateness, accessibility, relevance, and timeliness of governmental statistical activities and the role of professional statisticians in public programs
  • Co-sponsors the Jeanne E. Griffith Mentoring Award, the Wray Jackson Smith Scholarship, the Roger Herriot Award, and the Data Challenge. Sponsors the Pat Doyle Award. Organizes topical workshops and provides continuing education opportunities for our constituency through topical workshops and webinars, attended in person and virtually.  Promotes interest in government statistics applications by co-sponsoring the Data Challenge Expo and other student contests

Government Statistics Section pages managed by the GSS Executive Board