I would go a little further. It is the perpetuation of the idea that there
is some truth out there that has to be found that makes statistics and the
sciences so alienating to mopst people. What we attempt to do is configure
social facts into a plausible reflection of the physical and social
environment. In as far as our hypotheses, theories and models are concerned
we attempt to verify them within an specific environmental context. I find
that the "truth myth" inhibits people from accepting this idea.
Just a thought.
Henry M. Silvert Ph.D.
Research Statistician
The Conference Board
845 Third Ave.
New York, NY 10022
Phone : (212)339-0438
Fax : (212)836-3825
Email : [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David A. Heiser [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2000 10:33 PM
> To: Alan McLean; dennis roberts
> Cc: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: Hypothesis testing and magic - episode 2
>
> > Truth has nothing to do with it. We contruct stories of how the universe
> operates -
> > we call these stories 'theories' or 'models'. Significance testing is
> one
> way in
> > which we choose between stories as to which is (probably) more useful in
> a
> > specified context.
> --
> > Alan McLean ([EMAIL PROTECTED])
> > Department of Econometrics and Business Statistics
> > Monash University, Caulfield Campus, Melbourne
> > Tel: +61 03 9903 2102 Fax: +61 03 9903 2007
> ..........................................................................
> ..
> .....................
> I agree. Well stated.
>
> DAHeiser
>
>
>
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This list is open to everyone. Occasionally, less thoughtful
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For information about this list, including information about the
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