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I think you have the blame reversed. These problems were caused by statisticians who failed to understand there is always a reason to "adjust" the data. They ta
by nonbel 8y ago
I think you have the blame reversed. These problems were caused by statisticians who failed to understand there is always a reason to "adjust" the data. They taught people to apply methods that were inapplicable to the real-life research conditions they would face.
- ethbro 8y agoAgreed. Statistics can be counter-intuitive, but it's not rocket science. Playing the "keeper of the true flame" and hiding the internals in intro stats courses does everyone a disservice. I get there are a huge amount of non-mathematical scientists who go through these courses, but they should at least be equipped to get a funny feeling if they see something odd (and therefore go ask for advice). Rather than just believe "that's the number that came out." Mathematically rigorous and vetting meta-studies seem like they would help here too... validating methods and that studies reproduce within a range.