In this week’s episode Patrick and Greg get to hang out with Noah Greifer from the Institute for Quantitative Social Sciences at Harvard University to delve into the fascinating world of propensity scores: what they are, how we obtain them, and how they can be thoughtfully used to strengthen our causal inferences. Along the way …
In today’s episode, Patrick and Greg use the context of COVID rapid tests to discuss issues of sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predicted values, and the generally questionable utility of test accuracy information. Along the way they also discuss escape rooms, C4, Embassy Suites, palak paneer, 93% accurate, astragali, SAT prep courses, the volume of …
S3E16: Your COVID Rapid Test Result: Are You Positive You’re Positive? Read More »
Patrick and Greg discuss the often forgotten importance of observation and exploration for the purpose of suggesting patterns and forming hypotheses, which can later be refined and rigorously tested within the framework of our well-developed confirmatory machinery. Along the they way they also discuss Orlando road trips, our inner child, crappy glue, melted chocolate, leaning …
In today’s episode Patrick and Greg talk about statistical degrees of freedom: what they represent, how they are computed, and the importance they play in daily life. Along the way they also mention color blindness, the Skinnylicious menu, Kevin Bacon, Elmo’s Diner, the flatties, Amtrak, drinking Guinness at room temperature, sudoku, courage, paying the reaper, …
S3E08: Statistical Degrees of Freedom…An Intimate Stranger Read More »
In this episode, Greg and Patrick discuss the many places where researchers make decisions throughout the research process, and they weigh the pros and cons of those researchers having such decision-making freedom. Along the way, they also mention Lucky Charms, frozen waffles for dinner, the fifth down, forking paths, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, sharks …
S3E07: In Defense of Researcher Degrees of Freedom Read More »
Patrick and Greg talk about the potential advantages and disadvantages of alternative approaches to analyzing two time-point data. They discuss traditional models for raw and residualized change scores, and describe how each of these remains baked into the soul of contemporary models for repeated measures data. Along the way they also mention: 24 inch pizza …
In the inaugural episode of Season 3, Patrick and Greg argue (more than usual) about statistical conclusion validity: what it is, what affects it, and how it fits in with other types of validity. Along the way they also mention: FrogFest2021, fostering illusions, coughing up a thorax, entrée vs. entry, 50 hours of community service, …
S3E01: Leaping to Statistical Conclusion Validity Read More »
In this episode Patrick and Greg construct a deconstruction of the construct of construct validity. Constructively. Along the way they also discuss Jacques, sheep STDs, Bill Clinton, college admissions, touching a giant turtle, butwinking, cadaver bingo, nomological networks, teen spirit, playing drop-the-hanky, ticket to the prom, and lipstick on a pig.
In this episode Greg and Patrick explore the freakish and terrifying topic of equivalent models, particularly as they arise within the structural equation modeling analytical framework. Along the way they also discuss rinsing toes, palindromes, anagrams, being a tad unquiet, under-teaching, double-secret probation, scary cousins, sausage makers, Tribbles, empty beer bottles, Hard Core History, a …
Greg and Patrick discuss issues of controlling for extraneous variables, by randomization and by design, but especially the challenges and assumptions associated with statistical control. Along the way they also mention drag racing, Volkswagen Bugs, Seabiscuit, Harrison Bergeron, Diet Coke, Janet Jackson, John Denver, gastrointestinal distress, Sewall Wright, and babies and bathwater.
