The responses to my note have all been helpful. Both in suggesting an
attitude to such a course and in pointing me to resources. When I called
myself near-illiterate, I was perhaps exaggerating, I am an experienced user
with what I consider a reasonably sophisticated approach to the use of stats
in medicine.
I need to thank the group. Particularly, Herman Rubin in telling me what is
needed. I fully agree. Not the mechanics but the thinking.
Jan de Leeuw, who has put such excellent resources on the net, especial
thanks. That I am not completely illiterate, is partly thanks to you.
Bill Knight: as we say in Oz - too bloody right.
Dr. Knodt: always helpful, and a distiguished producer of stats software.
David Krishtel, Joe Ward and others, thanks.
Happy new year to all,
TomT
Herman Rubin <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
84aels$[EMAIL PROTECTED]">news:84aels$[EMAIL PROTECTED]...
> In article <8476b5$j7$[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> Thomas A Torda <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> >I am a statistical near-illiterate, trying to write an introduction to
stats
> >for real stats illiterates, using Excel data analysis functions. I have
> >problems with some of the procedures and would be interested to know the
> >algorithms used. Does anyone know whether these can be found or whether
> >anything has been written on the use of Excel as a stats resource?
> >The covariance and the two factor Anova especially appear a bit odd.
> >Thanks,
> >Tom Torda
> >[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
>
> What are you trying to do? What you should be doing is
> pointing out what problems are answered, and what it
> means. Knowing how to compute is at best useless, if one
> does not know what the meaning of the results.
>
> In fact, it can be far worse than useless. It is putting
> a loaded statistical gun in the hands of a statistical
> ignoramus. One does not teach the mechanics of brain
> surgery to someone ignorant of anatomy and physiology.
>
>
>
>
> --
> This address is for information only. I do not claim that these views
> are those of the Statistics Department or of Purdue University.
> Herman Rubin, Dept. of Statistics, Purdue Univ., West Lafayette
IN47907-1399
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] Phone: (765)494-6054 FAX: (765)494-0558
