Significance (journal)

Significance (journal). It is a bimonthly magazine published jointly by the Royal Statistical Society and the American Statistical Association, aimed at making statistics and data science accessible to a broad audience. Launched in 2004, the publication bridges the gap between academic research and practical application, featuring articles on the role of data in contemporary issues across science, politics, and society. Its content is designed to be engaging for both professional statisticians and interested laypersons, emphasizing clear explanation and real-world relevance.

History and background

The journal was founded in 2004 through a partnership between the Royal Statistical Society, based in the United Kingdom, and the American Statistical Association, the leading professional organization in the United States. This collaboration was initiated to create a publication that could communicate the importance of statistical thinking beyond academic circles, inspired by a need highlighted in the aftermath of events like the MMR vaccine controversy and the Iraq War where data interpretation played a critical public role. The first editor was Helen Joyce, a former editor at The Economist, who helped establish its accessible, magazine-style format. The launch was supported by prominent figures in the statistical community, including then-president of the Royal Statistical Society, David Spiegelhalter, who advocated for better public understanding of statistics.

Content and scope

The magazine covers a wide array of topics where data analysis provides crucial insights, often featuring investigations into high-profile issues such as climate change predictions, the accuracy of opinion polls during elections like the 2016 United States presidential election, and statistical flaws in forensic science used in courts like the Old Bailey. Regular sections include case studies, historical perspectives on figures like Florence Nightingale or Ronald Fisher, and explanations of methodological concepts from Bayesian statistics to machine learning. It frequently publishes articles by experts from institutions like the Office for National Statistics, the World Health Organization, and universities such as Harvard University and the University of Oxford, ensuring authoritative coverage of subjects from public health to sports analytics.

Publication and access

Significance is published bimonthly in both print and digital formats by Wiley-Blackwell on behalf of the owning societies. The magazine is available through institutional subscriptions, individual membership in the Royal Statistical Society or American Statistical Association, and via newsstand sales. Selected content is made freely available online, and the publication maintains an active presence on social media platforms to disseminate articles. Its digital archive is accessible through major academic databases like JSTOR and Ingenta Connect, and it participates in initiatives such as CLOCKSS for digital preservation. The magazine also produces special issues focusing on themes like the COVID-19 pandemic or the United States Census.

Editorial board and governance

The journal is overseen by an editorial board comprising leading statisticians and data scientists from academia, government, and industry. The editor-in-chief is Brian Tarran, who previously worked at the UK Statistics Authority. The board includes notable figures such as Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of The Black Swan, Nate Silver of FiveThirtyEight, and Mona Chalabi, data editor at The Guardian. Governance is shared by the Royal Statistical Society and the American Statistical Association, with a joint committee setting strategic direction. This committee includes past presidents like Sir David Cox and representatives from organizations such as the National Institute of Statistical Sciences and the European Network for Business and Industrial Statistics.

Impact and recognition

The publication has gained recognition for elevating public discourse on statistical literacy, winning awards such as the Association of Learned and Professional Society Publishers Award for Editorial Excellence. Its articles have influenced policy debates, including those on air pollution standards reviewed by the Environmental Protection Agency and educational testing reforms discussed in the British Parliament. The magazine's work is frequently cited in mainstream media outlets like the BBC, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, and it has been endorsed by public intellectuals like Steven Pinker. Its annual statistical writing competition, in partnership with The Economist, has helped launch the careers of numerous data journalists and communicators, extending its impact on how data is presented in the public sphere.

Category:Statistics journals Category:Publications established in 2004 Category:English-language magazines Category:Bimonthly magazines