Statistics and lies

Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics

That line REALLY irks me. I work with statistics (I would
not under any circumstances claim to be a statistician) and
I get that line thrown in my face by every should be sued
out of his socks physician that doesn't like the results of
the analysis.

It has become the refuge of incompetence...and the SOB's
feel righteous about it.

Statistics DO NOT LIE. Any more than a hammer lies. You
can use statistics in an inappropriate manner to say pretty
much what you want, but that is not the statistics.

DerFarm

Sure didn't mean to fire anyone up here, it's just a saying, man!

I don't know what kind of BS you have to deal with using this saying..... and again just expressing something to think about....

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Statistics DO NOT LIE. Any more than a hammer lies.

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I can see your point.....just like guns don't kill people, people kill people. I agree with you there. The problem I have with statistics is that they are used to give credibility, proof, and support. They are used to make critical decisions that truly have an affect on all of us daily. Unlike hammers and guns. Their impact grants them some characteristics that an inanimate object usually does not have.

Quote:

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You can use statistics in an inappropriate manner to say pretty much what you want, but that is not the statistics.

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Can't agree here fellow programmer. You are making a big assumption here. Actually the METHOD in which statitics are collected is what makes it or breaks it. People can manipulate them even more while collecting them, which in turn easily makes statistics; lies.

:) :eek: :)

Wasn't going off on you, Garkin. That's why I started a
new thread.

Besides, it's SO BORING here for the past week....

Gotcha!

You are certainly right about being slow. Here and at work. (not for a lack of things to do, but a lack of motivation to do those things.)

Your work as slow as this board?

Is everybody on vacation? I should be, but I started this new job on Sept 6 and don't get any vacation until March 6. Oh, well, that just leaves me with a lot of vacation to take this summer.