BJS FY 15 Law and Justice Statistics Methodological Research Projects (LJSMRP)

This award will enable Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS) to better navigate the expansive advances in information technology as well as to improve its operations. Areas being evaluated and reviewed include data archiving methods, statistical methodologies and reporting, data quality profiles for administrative records, use statistical infrastructure to assess the impact of DOJ grant programs, and problems of causal inference and observational research designs. These evaluations will be conducted through competitively sourced sub-contracts under the leadership of American Statistical Association’s (ASA) Committee on Law and Justice Statistics. ASA is a scientific and educational society founded in 1839. Its mission is to promote excellence in the application of statistical science. The ASA Committee on Law and Justice Statistics was established to provide an interface between ASA, BJS, and the legal, judicial, criminal justice, and academic communities. Its goals include promoting the development of quality statistical activities in the justice community; enhancing the presentation of statistical evidence in legal settings; and reporting on relevant issues to guarantee the integrity of statistical programs maintained by the U.S. Department of Justice and other appropriate agencies and organizations.