Linked Questions
44 questions linked to/from Famous statistical quotations
193
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Statistics Jokes
Well, we've got favourite statistics quotes. What about statistics jokes?
86
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Regarding p-values, why 1% and 5%? Why not 6% or 10%?
Regarding p-values, I am wondering why $1$% and $5$% seem to be the gold standard for "statistical significance". Why not other values, like $6$% or $10$%?
Is ...
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96
votes
5
answers
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When to use Fisher versus Neyman-Pearson framework?
I've been reading a lot lately about the differences between Fisher's method of hypothesis testing and the Neyman-Pearson school of thought.
My question is, ignoring philosophical objections, when ...
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28
votes
18
answers
7k
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How to describe statistics in one sentence?
When I first started learning statistics, procedures like the t-test, ANOVA, chi-squared and linear regression each appeared to be very different creatures. But now I realise these procedures each do ...
77
votes
5
answers
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How small a quantity should be added to x to avoid taking the log of zero?
I have analysed my data as they are. Now I want to look at my analyses after taking the log of all variables. Many variables contain many zeros. Therefore I add a small quantity to avoid taking the ...
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54
votes
9
answers
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Are all models useless? Is any exact model possible -- or useful?
This question has been festering in my mind for over a month. The February 2015 issue of Amstat News contains an article by Berkeley Professor Mark van der Laan that scolds people for using inexact ...
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41
votes
8
answers
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How to test hypothesis of no group differences?
Imagine you have a study with two groups (e.g., males and females) looking at a numeric dependent variable (e.g., intelligence test scores) and you have the hypothesis that there are no group ...
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49
votes
6
answers
24k
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Is there an explanation for why there are so many natural phenomena that follow normal distribution?
I think this is a fascinating topic and I do not fully understand it. What law of physics makes so that so many natural phenomena have normal distribution? It would seem more intuitive that they would ...
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58
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1
answer
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Why do my p-values differ between logistic regression output, chi-squared test, and the confidence interval for the OR?
I have built a logistic regression where the outcome variable is being cured after receiving treatment (Cure vs. No Cure). All ...
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30
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7
answers
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Distribution hypothesis testing - what is the point of doing it if you can't "accept" your null hypothesis?
Various hypothesis tests, such as the $\chi^{2}$ GOF test, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Anderson-Darling, etc., follow this basic format:
$H_0$: The data follow the given distribution.
$H_1$: The data do not ...
- 5,107
29
votes
5
answers
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How to test if my distribution is multimodal?
When I plot a histogram of my data, it has two peaks:
Does that mean a potential multi-modal distribution? I ran the dip.test in R (...
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22
votes
5
answers
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What is effect size... and why is it even useful?
I have an introductory-graduate-level statistics background (assume I know mathematical statistics and probability at an undergraduate level (e.g., Wackerly et al., Ross' Probability), and have some ...
- 5,107
28
votes
4
answers
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Pitfalls in experimental design: Avoiding dead experiments
I've come across this quote numerous times:
To consult the statistician after an experiment is finished is often
merely to ask him to conduct a post mortem examination. He can perhaps
say what ...
6
votes
8
answers
3k
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What's the name for this statistical fallacy?
I was told an anecdote by someone today who was trying to prove a point regarding safety. They said "50 people have been living in [area a] for the past two years one year (apparently I remembered the ...
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8
votes
4
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862
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Why are statistics textbook questions so frequently totally artificial?
Anyone who reads the questions here on a regular basis quickly recognizes some questions as being from textbooks or exams. Such questions need the self-study tag and one reason for closing a question ...