Modern Application driven Statistical Challenges

Statistical science is an increasingly recognised tool for discovery and advancement in science, technology, industry and services. Analysis, exploration, interpretation and integration of data are all based on statistical methodology. During the last dec ade we have experienced that the methodological development within statistics to an extended degree is initiated by innovation needs in important application areas. In the spirit of NR's applied role, we will focus on specific application areas and their anticipated coming needs for new statistical tools. Moreover, similar statistical challenges often originate from rather different application areas, which we will exploit. The project will concentrate on methodological needs from the following areas: - Financial sector, including insurance - Health sector, including biotechnology - Marine sector - Environmental sector - Public sector All of these areas are of great importance to Norway, and are also highly relevant internationally. They are characteris ed by large data sets, the analysis of which often influences important and vital decisions. Some of the statistical challenges will be common to the areas. Hence, in addition to solutions connected to a specific area, the project will include methodologi cally driven cross-sector activities. There will be a close integration between MASC and the work at the Center for Research based innovation, Statistics for Innovation, SFI2. In SFI2 the aim is long-term statistical methodology development needed for re aching innovation aims for the 13 commercial and public partners to the centre, and others, mainly focused on the key areas marine, petroleum, finance and health. In MASC there will be a more general and broader perspective by exploring new market areas and important areas to the society where there are few commercial actors.