MATH 251, Probability and Statistics I, Fall 2001, Sept. 28, Day 13

Simpson's paradox. (2.6 cont'd) We saw that there is a continuous version as well, though Simpson's name usually only applies to the categorical version.
"Correlation does not imply causation" (2.7) Inferring causation without foundation is one of the most common statistical fallacies.  Showing causation is hard.  The fallacious reasoning is at least as old as the fable about the rooster who believed the sun could not rise unless he crowed to get it up.

In connection with Sec. 2.7, A silly website spoofs statistical obfuscation in general, especially mindless data crunching.
Reading: Finish chapter 2 (2.6, 2.7)  Read ahead, Ch. 3, 3.1&3.2
Hand in: 
p. 202, 2.85 age&college with SPSS 
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Simpson's paradox: 
p. 202,2.96death penalty
p. 220 2.117 
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Association &causation (sec.2.7) 
p. 213, 2.100, 101, 102 
p. 220, 2.118 
2.119
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ON a SEPARATE SHEET:  For the data analysis project.
People you want to/are willing to work with
(Anybody you REally don't want to work with)
How do you feel about working alone?		 Read, discuss 

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p.206, 2.94 airline delay eyeball it. 
 

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p. 212-13
2.97, 98 
2.103

 Optional


 
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