RSSeNEWS to be determined...

"I share John Flynn’s concerns (February letters) about the publication advice given by the British Medical Journal (BMJ) regarding the role of statistical science and statisticians," writes David Fox in a recent letter to RSS NEWS (April 2010 issue).

Fox comments: “The apparent trivialisation of our input is a long-standing problem and there have been more radical and strident views expressed by journal editors in the past.

“However, John’s suggestion that ‘our learned professional body, the RSS, should continuously be warning members to avoid being under-estimated, under-valued and, presumably, under-charged for our contribution’ is, in my view, not a solution. Respect is earned, not demanded. It is also important for our profession to understand that any interaction is a two-way street. While some statisticians bemoan their claimed under-valued, un-loved and un-cherished status among scientific peers, others would argue that we've not always been the best advocates of our own scientific worth.

“A colleague working in one of our environmental protection agencies once likened his experience with statisticians with root canal surgery, only more painful. As a profession we must work to remain credible and relevant; the respect will then follow and it won’t have to be demanded. John Flynn’s suggestion that without statistical input publications such as the BMJ would otherwise be ‘mediocre’ is disingenuous and may help explain the root of the problem.”

Read other letters on this topic:

Edward Davies and Fiona Godlee

Kieron Dey