The Role of Statisticians. Report of the Ad Hoc Committee

This report (dated August 1990) is published in the Review to ensure that the recommendations have wide circulation and can be extensively debated. The Review will consider publication of comments on the recommendations and suggestions for future action by the International Statistical Institute. It suggests that statisticians all over the world are experiencing a serious challenge. Unless their role and importance are appropriately recognised, they may not be able to fulfil their function properly, as demanded by the economic, social and scientific problems of the world today. The report recommends a systematic review of the relevant issues, and to this end it uses a 'catalogue of problems' as well as an 'inventory of some initiatives', which may help to solve them.