The NEW ENGLAND JOURNAL of
STATISTICS in DATA SCIENCE

Call for a Special Issue on "Rare Disease Statistics"

The New England Journal of Statistics in Data Science (NEJSDS) invites submissions to a special issue on "Rare Disease Statistics." NEJSDS is the official journal of the New England Statistical Society (NESS), serving as an interface between statistics and various disciplines within data science. The journal publishes high-quality original research, novel applications, and timely review articles in all aspects of data science, including (but not limited to) statistical methodology, machine learning, artificial intelligence, novel algorithms, computational methods, data management, and practical applications of data science methods.

This special issue is in conjunction with the New England Rare Disease Statistics (NERDS) Workshop series. Over the past few decades, drug development in the rare disease sector has grown and evolved significantly, driven by increased public awareness, favorable drug regulatory changes, advances in cellular/molecular biology and genetics, innovative clinical trial designs, large capital investments, and the cultivation of scientific talent.

As a result, regulators, academic researchers, and industry statisticians work collaboratively to bring orphan drugs to patients, navigating unique technical challenges. The NERDS conference series was created to give statisticians across the rare disease drug development spectrum a common forum to exchange ideas, share experiences, and network. The goal of this special issue is to provide a companion platform to the NERDS conferences, where clinicians, practitioners, and statisticians can discuss the specific challenges and opportunities in rare disease research.

Potential topics for submissions include (but are not limited to):

  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Bayesian Analysis
  • Biomarker Development
  • Causal Inference
  • Cell and Gene Therapy
  • Clinical Trial Simulation
  • Data Integration
  • Data Privacy
  • Data Sharing
  • Dose Optimization
  • Endpoint Development
  • Patient-Reported Outcomes
  • Pediatric drug development
  • Real-World Evidence
  • Regulatory Considerations
  • Safety analysis
  • Statistical Design and Analysis

The NEJSDS welcomes various types of papers, including:

  • Case Studies, Applications, and Practice Articles
  • Commentaries and Historical Perspectives
  • Methodology Articles
  • Research Communications
  • Review Articles
  • Software Tutorials and Reviews

All submissions should be made through our online system at https://www.e-publications.org/ness/sbs/. Please make sure to specify that your submission is "For the Special Issue on Rare Disease Statistics" in the "Comments to Editors" section to ensure proper handling. All submissions will go through the standard peer review process. As guest editors of this issue, we will manage the review process diligently to ensure timely and thorough feedback.

The planned timeline:

  • Submission Deadline: June 1, 2025
  • Target for First Revision: August 1, 2025
  • Target Publication Date: Third Issue of 2025

The NEJSDS is proud to pioneer a reform of the traditional peer review process by introducing a hybrid review model. In this process, authors may choose to supplement the traditional editorial review by providing independent referee reports invited by the authors themselves. These reports, alongside those initiated by the editorial board, will contribute to the editorial decision. If authors opt to submit open review reports, they should mention this in the cover letter and upload the reports (including reviewer affiliations and contact details) as supplementary materials during submission.For any inquiries or clarifications, please feel free to contact us. We look forward to receiving your submissions in due course.

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