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Thinking Through Statistics

by John Levi Martin from reader 2025-04-28

Thinking Through Statistics

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Metadata

  • Author: John Levi Martin
  • Full Title: Thinking Through Statistics
  • Category: #articles
  • Summary:: In “Thinking Through Statistics,” John Levi Martin argues that traditional statistics often fails to address real problems because it relies on assumptions about the correct models. He suggests that instead of only trying to confirm theories, we should use data to eliminate false interpretations and explore multiple possibilities. By embracing ambiguity and focusing on robust patterns, we can improve our understanding of complex social phenomena.
  • URL: https://press.uchicago.edu/dam/ucp/books/pdf/course_intro/978-0-226-56763-1_introduction.pdf

Highlights

  • But in fact, it is often—though, happily, not invariably—the case that the approaches that are best for the perfect model can be worse for the wrong model. (View Highlight)
  • sc (View Highlight)
  • OLS regression is like that UJM. Easy to scorn, hard to appre- ciate—until you really need something to get done. (View Highlight)