Related to communication or explanation of statistical data, analyses, or concepts
See Statistical communications questions? (on meta) for a discussion of this tag.
Questions tagged [communication]
52 questions
433
votes
11 answers
Explaining to laypeople why bootstrapping works
I recently used bootstrapping to estimate confidence intervals for a project. Someone who doesn't know much about statistics recently asked me to explain why bootstrapping works, i.e., why is it that resampling the same sample over and over gives…
Alan H.
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64
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6 answers
Debunking wrong CLT statement
The central limit theorem (CLT) gives some nice properties about converging to a normal distribution. Prior to studying statistics formally, I was under the extremely wrong impression that the CLT said that data approached normality. I now find…
Dave
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54
votes
16 answers
Most confusing statistical terms
We statisticians use many words in ways that are slightly different from the way everyone else uses them. This cause lots of problems when we teach or explain what we are doing. I'll start a list (and now I'll add some definitions, per comments):…
Peter Flom
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43
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2 answers
Evidence for man-made global warming hits 'gold standard': how did they do this?
This message in a Reuter's article from 25.02.2019 is currently all over the news: Evidence for man-made global warming hits 'gold standard' [Scientists] said confidence that human activities were raising the heat at the Earth’s surface had reached…
Sextus Empiricus
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41
votes
11 answers
Are there any good popular science book about statistics or machine learning?
There a bunch of really good popular science books around, that deal with real science, as well as the history and reasons behind current theories, while remaining extremely enjoyable to read. For example, "Chaos" by James Gleick (chaos, fractals,…
naught101
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38
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10 answers
What is your favorite layman's explanation for a difficult statistical concept?
I really enjoy hearing simple explanations to complex problems. What is your favorite analogy or anecdote that explains a difficult statistical concept? My favorite is Murray's explanation of cointegration using a drunkard and her dog. Murray…
brotchie
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33
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1 answer
Beautifully written papers
From David Salsburg's book The lady tasting tea : Although the reader may not believe it, literary style plays an important role in mathematical research. Some mathematical writers seem unable to produce articles that are easy to understand. Others…
alberto
- 3,088
17
votes
2 answers
How would you explain generalized linear models to people with no statistical background?
I always have a hard time explaining statistical techniques to audience with no statistical background. If I wanted to explain what GLM is to such audience (without throwing out statistical jargon), what would be the best or most effective way? I…
Ken
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4 answers
How does one explain what an unbiased estimator is to a layperson?
Suppose $\hat{\theta}$ is an unbiased estimator for $\theta$. Then of course, $\mathbb{E}[\hat{\theta} \mid \theta] = \theta$. How does one explain this to a layperson? In the past, what I have said is if you average a bunch of values of…
Clarinetist
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12
votes
7 answers
How would you explain statistical significance to people with no statistical background?
Background: I had to perform a data analysis for a client (some kind of lawyer) who was an absolute beginner in statistics. He asked me what the term "statistical significance" means and I really tried to explain it... but since I'm not good at…
Daniel Ryback
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3 answers
How best to communicate uncertainty?
A massive problem in communicating the results of statistical calculations to the media and to the public is how we communicate uncertainty. Certainly most mass media seems to like a hard and fast number, even though except in a relatively small…
naught101
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9
votes
5 answers
Correct language for describing statistically insignificant results
I fit a standard regression between a control x and outcome y. I have estimated a parameter (frequentist regression) to be -0.35 with the 95% CI (-1.95, +1.20). I am trying to understand what is the best way to explain this result. I want to write…
user507901
9
votes
2 answers
Viability of forecasting 25 values with only 8 historical data points
My team has been asked to forecast some annual data 25 years into the future. However, we are told to ignore observed data before 2018 because a manager doesn't "trust it" (no reason articulated). I pushed back to get at least 2015 onwards, which…
Earlien
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8
votes
1 answer
Who created the "soup analogy" for sampling
The soup analogy is, You only need a single spoon to sample the soup, provided it is well stirred. It has been used several times here Sampling distributions of sample means and What is your favorite layman's explanation for a difficult statistical…
James K
- 607
8
votes
1 answer
Explaining conditioning number in statistics to non-statisticians
I work these days as a statistician and a lot of what I do is evaluating design of experiments; I started this job less than a year ago, after getting a PhD in mathematical statistics. I remember once trying to explain conditioning numbers and their…
cgmil
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