For content related to mathematic concepts like statistics, chance, and probability.

Using the CRAP test

admin
28 Apr 2021
I spend a great deal of time these days keeping up with the tsunami of information about SARS-CoV-2 (the virus) and COVID-19 (the illness), with a goal of sharing valid and useful information with others. I've taken to suggesting that people identify crap with the CRAP test:
 
Currency - the timeliness of the information:
● When was the information published or last updated?
● Have newer articles been published on your topic?

Responding to the 'but 99% survive' argument

admin
3 Feb 2021
Among the many candidates for arguments against taking action to protect our families, friends, colleagues, neighbors, communities and country from COVID, none make me angrier than the "but 99% survive" gambit. This argument is numerically illiterate (Mark Twain said “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so”), racist, ableist, and inhumane. Let me explain.
 

Sampling error

PeterElias
8 Mar 2013

I recently received an email from my employer, with a link and a request to fill out a short survey evaluating a new service available to our patients. I had a brief gap between patients, so I clicked and did the six questions. As I hit submit, it occurred to me that the survey seemed familiar. Hmmm. Looking back in my older emails, I found that I had received a similar request from the same group about 2 weeks earlier, with the same link. I contacted the person who had sent the second email.

Subscribe to Math, stats, probability