Dennis Roberts wrote:
> on this near holiday ... at least in the usa ... i wonder if you might
> consider for a moment:
>
> what is the SINGLE most valuable concept/procedure/skill (just one!) ...
> that you would think is most important when it comes to passing along to
> students studying "inferential statistics"
>
> what i am mainly looking for would be answers like:
>
> the notion of ________
>
> being able to do ______
>
> that sort of thing
>
> something that if ANY instructor in stat, say at the introductory level
> failed to discuss and emphasize ... he/she is really missing the boat and
> doing a disservice to students
Most statistical tests & calculations, the inference types, assume that
Newton's Laws work. that is, that the world is systematic and predictable.
and yes, that includes quantum mechanics when it applies.
An intro instructor should spend time emphasizing that systems have inputs &
outputs and links between them. Once you ask what those links are, you have
a justification and hints for how to do the stats.
More cold calls _may_ produce more sales. More personal attention at point
of sale ('service') _may_ generate more repeat business. A different method
for reviewing a chapter _may_ produce a higher test score. A higher furnace
temperature _may_ reduce scrap in braze joints.
If you don't believe such links exist, then there is no sense in doing the
stat course. Or much else, for that matter.
Jay
--
Jay Warner
Principal Scientist
Warner Consulting, Inc.
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