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Stat-spotting : a field guide to identifying dubious data
Author
Title
Stat-spotting : a field guide to identifying dubious data / Joel Best.
ISBN
9780520257467 (cloth : alk. paper)
0520257464 (cloth : alk. paper)
Published
Berkeley : University of California Press, c2008.
Physical Description
132 pages : illustrations ; 22 cm.
Format
Books
Language
English
Added to Catalog
September 29, 2008
Bibliography
Includes bibliographical references (pages 119-129) and index.
Contents
Getting started
Spotting questionable numbers
Background
Statistical benchmarks
Severity and frequency
Varieties of dubious data
Blunders
The slippery decimal point
Botched translations
Misleading graphs
Careless calculations
Sources: who counted
and why?
Big round numbers
Hyperbole
Shocking claims
Naming the problem
Definitions: what did they count?
Broad definitions
Expanding definitions
Changing definitions
The uncounted
Measurements: how did they count?
Creating measures
Odd units of analysis
Loaded questions
Raising the bar
Technical measures
Packaging: what are they telling us?
Impressive formats
Misleading samples
Convenient time frames
Peculiar percentages
Selective comparisons
Statistical milestones
Averages
Epidemics
Correlations
Discoveries
Debates: what if they disagree?
Causality debates
Equality debates
Policy debates
Stat-spotting on your own
Summary: common signs of dubious data
Better data: some characteristics
Afterword: if you had no idea things were that bad, they probably aren't
Suggestions for those who want to continue stat-spotting.
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