How do federal statistics strengthen our nation's science as well as its policy?
In this latest volume of The ANNALS, leading academics, along with key federal officials, including the president's science advisor, the chief statistician of the U.S., the director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the presidents of the National Academies, and the director of the Census Bureau address the argument that the statistics that the federal statistical system produces should be understood as constituting a scientific infrastructure for the empirical social sciences. Further, they see the current federal statistical system as "the best hope for bringing strong science to bear on new data sources" and "the best place to navigate unforeseen challenges in preserving the independence of statistical information from political interference."
If federal statistics are the knowledge base from which policy problems and solutions emerge, it is imperative that we pay attention to the lessons they offer. Never before has this topic received this level of attention from such an array of contributors. A must read for all social scientists and policy-makers.

Introduction
Science Starts Not After Measurement, But With Measurement - Kenneth Prewitt
Section One: Federal Statistics and The Nation's Infrastructure for Science & Policy
Social Science Data and the Shaping of National Policy - John P. Holdren
Federal Statistics: Understanding a Crucial Resource - Katherine K. Wallman
The Importance of Federal Statistics for Advancing Science and Identifying Policy Options - Ralph Cicerone
The Need to Get the Right Health Statistics and to Get the Health Statistics Right - Harvey Fineberg
In Engineering: Why it is Critical to Have Quality Data and Scientifically Sound Statistical Analysis - Charles Vest
Section Two: Who Uses Federal Statistics?
The Government
Federal Statistics in the Policymaking Process - Peter R. Orszag
The Government Accountability Office and Congressional Uses of Federal Statistics - Nancy Kingsbury
Designing a New Architecture for the U.S. National Accounts - Dale W. Jorgenson
The Federal Statistical System: The Local Government Perspective - Joseph J. Salvo and Arun Peter Lobo
The Public and the Press
Indicators and the Federal Statistical System: An Essential but Fraught Partnership - Norman M. Bradburn and Carolyn J.E. Fuqua
The Media as Consumers of Statistics - Paul Overberg
Social Sciences
Immigration Statistics for the 21st Century - Douglas S. Massey
Why American Families Need the Census - Stephanie Coontz
Section Three: Where Do Federal Statistics Come From?
The Census and the Federal Statistical System: Historical Perspectives - Margo Anderson
The Structure and Activities of the U.S. Federal Statistical System: History and Recurrent Challenges - Robert M. Groves
Section Four: Strengthening the Statistical System
The Role of the Federal Statistical System in Evidence-Based Policy-Making or How to Make the Statistical System Essential - Michael J. O'Grady
The Federal Statistical System and the Four "I"s - Stephen E. Fienberg
The Future of Innovation in the Federal Statistical System - Hermann Habermann
Why We Need One Statistical Agency - Janet L. Norwood
Section Five: Protecting the System from Political Interference
Principles and Practices for the Federal Statistical System: The View from the Committee on National Statistics - William F. Eddy, Constance F. Citro, and Daniel L. Cork
What is Political Interference in Federal Statistics? - Kenneth Prewitt