In 1958 the Canadian Political Science Association established a committee to look into ways and means of improving statistical research in the social sciences in Canada. One of the ways in which the committee thought this could be done was by establishing an annual forum where papers could be presented and discussed. Eight papers given at the first Conference at Queen's University are contained in this volume. Diverse alike in subject and statistical method—-as indeed a collection of papers reflecting the purpose of the founding committee is bound to be—-the papers as printed incorporate the discussion that attended their presentation in 1960.