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The latest issue of Amstat News, the membership magazine of the American Statistical Association (ASA), features an article by Westat’s Elizabeth Eisenhauer that explores how statisticians and evaluators collaborate to turn evidence into meaningful impact. Based on a panel discussion at the 2024 Joint Statistical Meetings, the article highlights the ways these professionals use data-driven insights to inform programs and policies.
In Panelists Discuss How Statisticians, Evaluators Turn Evidence into Impact, Eisenhauer, a Lead Statistical Associate at Westat, shares perspectives from experts across academia and research institutions on the power of collaboration. Panelists emphasized the benefits of combining statistical rigor with evaluation expertise to enhance decision-making and improve policy outcomes. Panelists included:
- Ruth B. Etzioni, Professor and Rosalie and Harold Rea Brown Chair, Biostatistics Program, Fred Hutch Cancer Center
- Michael Baiocchi, Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology and Population Health, Stanford University
- Kristin Linn, Assistant Professor of Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania
- Nandita Mitra, Professor of Biostatistics and Co-Director, Center for Causal Inference, University of Pennsylvania
- Debra Rog, Vice President, Social Policy and Economics Research, Westat
The discussion covered successes, challenges, and the evolving partnership between statisticians and evaluators. Panelists highlighted future opportunities, including the development of shared resources for mixed-methods evaluations and expanded training to build evaluation capacity within the statistical community.
Rog underscored the importance of context in mixed-methods research, emphasizing how integrating qualitative and quantitative analyses can help address complex issues. While such studies can be challenging to execute effectively, she noted that the most successful ones begin with a well-defined strategy for intentional data integration.
Read the full article in Amstat News to learn more about how statisticians and evaluators are driving evidence-based decision-making.