The International Summer School on Statistical Distributions in Scientific Work was held in Trieste during July 1980 for a period of three weeks. The emphasis was on research, review, and exposition concerned with the interface between modem statistical distribution theory and real world problems and issues involving science, technology, and management. Both theory and applications received full attention at the School. The program consisted of a Short Intensive Preparation Course, a NATO Advanced Study Institute, and a Research Conference. While the relative composi- tion of these activities...