Ethical Issues in Statistics in Expert Testimony

统计证据、报告和证词在越来越多的 在决策中的作用，从个人的行动 与法院和其他组织的组织相比， 公共当局。 由于他们的专业知识，统计学家 被要求提供信息和建议，在这些不同的 设置. 这些角色带来了伦理问题， 在困难的情况下适当的行为。 是什么 统计人员对雇主或客户的责任， 例如，当被传唤在法庭上作证或在法庭前作证时， 国会，或当被媒体要求发表评论？ 应该如何 统计学家在处理问题上意见不一时， 统计分析或评估方法的不确定性 统计研究，或充分的数据，使一个 决定或裁决？ 该项目启动了一个进程， 美国统计协会（阿萨）可以提高知识 统计人员和决策者关于 他们在这些不同的领域所面临的职业责任 设置. 根据具有广泛代表性的指导委员会的建议 委员会，协会将计划和举办一个关于 统计人员作为专家证人的作用。 利用人口普查 和环境主题作为初步案例， 研讨会将重点讨论以下问题： 专家证人在法庭上，在国会听证会上， 监管专家小组。 研讨会报告将讨论 统计人员以及各组织和机构的作用 呼吁他们抑制或加强道德行为。 本次研讨会和以后的研讨会的材料将被组织成一个 使用学生可访问的案例手册格式的文本， 统计数据的使用者和使用者。

Statistical evidence, reports, and testimony play an increasing role in decision-making, ranging from the actions of individuals and private organizations, to those of the courts and other public authorities. Because of their expertise, statisticians are called on for information and advice, in these various settings. With these roles come ethical questions concerning appropriate behavior in difficult situations. What is the statisticians' responsibility to employer or client, for instance, when called on for testimony in a courtroom or before the Congress, or when asked by the media for comment? How should statisticians respond when they disagree as to the treatment of uncertainty in statistical analyses, or the methods of evaluation of statistical studies, or the sufficiency of data for making a decision or ruling? This project begins a process whereby the American Statistical Association (ASA) can enhance the knowledge of statisticians and decision makers about the issues of professional responsibility facing all of them in these various settings. With advice from a broadly representative Steering Committee, the Association will plan and hold a workshop on the role of statisticians as expert witnesses. Using the census undercount and environmental topics as initial cases for exploration, the workshop will focus on issues that arise for expert witnesses in courtrooms, in Congressional hearings and on regulatory expert panels. The workshop report will address the roles of statisticians and of the organizations and institutions calling on them in inhibiting or enhancing ethical behavior. Material from this and later workshops will be organized into a text using a casebook format accessible to students, practitioners, and users of statistics.