We discussed aspects of the following general topics:
- graphics
- polls
- statistics in the courts
- scientific studies
- science and statistics reporting
- environmental risks
In connection with these, and with specific articles given below,
we considered a number of more technical topics:
- data maps, time series, relational graphs, bar graphs, pie charts, boxplots
- percentages, percentiles, margin of error, non-response bias, sampling, the bell curve
- probability, conditional probability, Bayes theorem, independent events
- hypothesis testing, significance testing, null hypothesis, test statistic, p-value
- prospective and retrospective studies, confounding variables, Simpson's
(not OJ) paradox, causation, relative risk, odds ratio
- estimate, margin of error, confidence interval
- regression, least squares, ecological regression, multiple regression
- relative risk regression, hazard rates
- voting paradoxes
These topics came up in connection with one or more of the following books,
articles, or issues:
- The Visual Display of Quantitative Information, E. Tufte, Graphics Press
- The Quebec referendum on sovereignty
- DNA testing and the O.J. Simpson trial; AIDS screening
- The Monty Hall (Let's Make a Deal) problem
- "The Cold Facts About the `Hot Hand' in Basketball", A. Tversky and T. Gilovich,
and "Basketball, Baseball and the Null Hypothesis", R. Hooke, Chance 2
(1), 16--21 and (4), 35--37.
- Smoking (video) and "Does Exposure to Second-Hand Smoke Increase Lung Cancer Risk?", A.J. Gross
and "What Evidence is Needed to Link Lung Cancer and Second-Hand Smoke?",
H.E. Rockette, Chance 6 (4), 11--18.
- ``Statistical evidence of cheating on multiple choice tests.'' S.P. Klein (1992),
Chance 5 (3-4), 23--27.
and `` The use of statistical evidence in allegations of exam cheating.'' P.J.
Boland and M. Proschan (1990),
Chance 3 (3), 10--14.
- Two articles by John Bailar from Chance 8(1):
``How statisticians can help the news media do a better job'' and
``How the news media can help statisticians do a better job''.
- ``Factors affecting runners' marathon performace", J.F. Buoncristiani
and D.E. Martin Chance 6(4), 24--30.
- chocolate chip cookie experiment
- ``Ecological regression in voting rights cases'', S.P. Klein and D.A. Freedman,
Chance 6(3), 38--47 (1993).
- election fraud (short article from A Mathematician Reads the Newspaper,
J.A. Paulos, 1995.
- ``Should pregnant women move? Linking risks for birth defects with
proximity to toxic waster sites'', S.A. Geschwind.
Chance 5(3-4), 40--46 (1992).
- Chance News item on breast cancer screening
- Chance News item on risk analysis and the anniversary of the Challenger
disaster
- Tainted Truth, C. Crossen, 1994.
- several newspaper articles on silicone breast implants
- "A paradox in the ranking of figure skaters", J. Bring and K. Carling (1994)
,
Chance 7(4), 34--37