Research Catalog
Stat-spotting : a field guide to identifying dubious data /
- Title
- Stat-spotting : a field guide to identifying dubious data / Joel Best.
- Author
- Best, Joel.
- Publication
- Berkeley : University of California Press, c2008.
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| Status | Format | Access | Call Number | Item Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Not available - Please for assistance. | Text | Use in library | HM535 .B477 2008 | Off-site |
Details
- Description
- 132 p. : ill.; 22 cm.
- Subjects
- Bibliography (note)
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 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.
- ISBN
- 9780520257467 (cloth : alk. paper)
- 0520257464 (cloth : alk. paper)
- LCCN
- 2008017175
- Owning Institutions
- Princeton University Library