Formerly known as the Survey Section of the first Statistical Laboratory in the United States, CSSM specializes in the research and practice of sample surveys. Since 1938, CSSM has functioned as a collaborator for federal, state agencies, non-profit organizations, as well as other campus units. CSSM has developed expertise in the technical and operational aspects of sample surveys on the strength of Iowa State University’s Department of Statistics, with one of the biggest PhD programs in mathematical statistics in North America. CSSM’s cross-disciplinary workforce of statisticians, data collectors, data analysts, software developers, GIS specialists, IT service and infrastructure personnel, communication specialists, and technical writers work for its two branches: Data Science Services (DSS) and Survey Research Services (SRS). DSS primarily collaborates with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (USDA-NRCS) on projects such as the National Resources Inventory (NRI), Conservation Effects Assessment Project. (CEAP), and the Bureau of Land Management Rangeland Surveys. SRS handles data collection for surveys of all formats and modes including the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll and Housing Provider Study.​​​

More about the Center for Survey Statistics and Methodology