Testing

  • ...if the difference isn't different enough to make a difference, what's the difference?

    Victor Chew (1923 - )

  • There are two possible outcomes: If the result confirms the hypothesis, then you've made a measurement. If the result is contrary to the hypothesis, then you've made a discovery.

    Enrico Fermi (1901 - 1954)

  • For every fact there is an infinity of hypotheses.

    Robert M. Pirsig (1928 - )

  • Hypotheses, like professors, when they are seen not to work any longer in the laboratory, should disappear.

    Henry Edward Armstrong (1848 - 1937)

  • Old statisticians never die - they just become nonsignificant.

    Gary C. Ramseyer (1934 - 2012)

  • The great tragedy of Science - the slaying of a beautiful hypothesis by an ugly fact.

    Thomas H. Huxley (1825 - 1895)

  • It is a good morning exercise for a research scientist to discard a pet hypothesis every day before breakfast. It keeps him young.

    Konrad Lorenz (1903 - 1989)

  • The number of degrees of freedom is usually self-evident - except for the analysis of data that have not appeared in a textbook.

    David Durand (1912 - 1996).

  • Lyric copyright by Bret Larget
    May be sung to the tune of "Roll out the Barrel" (Lew Brown, Wladimir A. Timm, Vasek Zeman and Jaromir Vejvoda)

    What's a p-value?
    Test a hypothesis and see.
    What's a p-value?
    It is the probability,
    That a new test statistic,
    Would be at least as extreme as the old,
    Given Ho is true.
    That is what I'm told!

  • Lyric copyright by Jeff Witmer
    may sing to tune of "Let it Be" (Paul McCartney/Beatles)

    When I find myself with normal data,
    William Gosset comes to me
    Speaking words of wisdom, Use a t.

    If my NP plot is linear
    but sigma isn't known to me
    This is not a problem, Use a t.

    Use a t, use a t, use a t, use a t
    Student knows the answer: Use a t.

    And when the broken hearted students
    in a stats class can't agree
    You can show the answer: Use a t.

    Some want to use a Z test,
    and a chi-square is a mystery
    The truth is very simple: Use a t

    Use a t, use a t, use a t, use a t
    Student knows the answer: Use a t.

    And when your thoughts are cloudy,
    RA Fisher may not hear your plea
    But Gosset will deliver, with a t.

    He knows you are trying
    and he wants to set your mind at ease
    Don't think twice about it, use a t.

    Use a t, use a t, use a t, use a t
    Student knows the answer: Use a t.

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