Michael, yes, I’ve had statistics too, and it is indeed the “random” that is HIGHLY questionable in all these “social” indicators and polls. Which is exactly what I was saying the first time. Yes, there are tests for measurement error as well.
Just received a “poll” in the mail from Florida Republicans- the only answers to the questions were stacked to the point of being absurd. I’m sure the opposite side does do the same, though the Democratic questions I’ve received over the years have always been less biased than those from the “right”. It might have something to do with the very dictionary definition of “liberal” versus “conservative”???
My statistics professor did sum it all up in his first “lesson” to the class when he stated: “The one truth in statistics is that figures can lie, and liars can figure.” (true incident)
Michael, yes, I’ve had statistics too, and it is indeed the “random” that is HIGHLY questionable in all these “social” indicators and polls. Which is exactly what I was saying the first time. Yes, there are tests for measurement error as well.
Just received a “poll” in the mail from Florida Republicans- the only answers to the questions were stacked to the point of being absurd. I’m sure the opposite side does do the same, though the Democratic questions I’ve received over the years have always been less biased than those from the “right”. It might have something to do with the very dictionary definition of “liberal” versus “conservative”???
My statistics professor did sum it all up in his first “lesson” to the class when he stated: “The one truth in statistics is that figures can lie, and liars can figure.” (true incident)