Newsletters

Transparency Initiative Update

02/01/2016

We have several Transparency Initiative updates to report as we enter 2016:

• AAPOR received a letter from the Federal Committee on Statistical Methodology (FCSM) indicating their interest in the Transparency Initiative and noting their support for our shared value of scientific openness. A link to this letter, which also outlines some of the federal statistical community’s transparency-related documents, is now available on the TI web page.
• Some additional text was added to the Transparency Certification Agreement, which TI members are asked to recommit to on an annual basis, and approved by AAPOR’s Council in early January. The additional text reiterates the importance of TI members encouraging clients to publicly disclose methodological details of surveys conducted by TI members.
• The TI Coordinating Committee continues to develop new educational materials. We are currently developing a set of new online educational modules that will provide detailed information regarding each of the TI’s disclosure elements.
• In a strong support for the importance of our work, the AAPOR Council decided to waive the annual $200 Transparency Initiative membership fee for 2016 and refund payments submitted to date by member organizations. Consequently, AAPOR will again this year be covering the out-of-pocket costs associated with supporting the Transparency Initiative.