scholarly journals What is Your Estimand? Defining the Target Quantity Connects Statistical Evidence to Theory

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ian Lundberg ◽  
Rebecca Johnson ◽  
Brandon Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Statistical Model ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Statistical Evidence ◽  
Similar Degree ◽  
Research Practice

We make only one point in this article. Every quantitative study must be able to answer the question: what is your estimand? The estimand is the target quantity—the purpose of the statistical analysis. Much attention is already placed on how to do estimation; a similar degree of care should be given to defining the thing we are estimating. We advocate that authors state the central quantity of each analysis—the theoretical estimand—in precise terms that exist outside of any statistical model. In our framework, researchers do three things: (1) set a theoretical estimand, clearly connecting this quantity to theory, (2) link to an empirical estimand, which is informative about the theoretical estimand under some identification assumptions, and (3) learn from data. Adding precise estimands to research practice expands the space of theoretical questions, unlocks new tools with which to answer them, and heightens clarity about the link between theory and evidence.

scholarly journals What Is Your Estimand? Defining the Target Quantity Connects Statistical Evidence to Theory

2021 ◽  
pp. 000312242110041
Author(s):  
Ian Lundberg ◽  
Rebecca Johnson ◽  
Brandon M. Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Statistical Model ◽  
Quantitative Study ◽  
Statistical Evidence ◽  
Similar Degree ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Precise Statement

We make only one point in this article. Every quantitative study must be able to answer the question: what is your estimand? The estimand is the target quantity—the purpose of the statistical analysis. Much attention is already placed on how to do estimation; a similar degree of care should be given to defining the thing we are estimating. We advocate that authors state the central quantity of each analysis—the theoretical estimand—in precise terms that exist outside of any statistical model. In our framework, researchers do three things: (1) set a theoretical estimand, clearly connecting this quantity to theory; (2) link to an empirical estimand, which is informative about the theoretical estimand under some identification assumptions; and (3) learn from data. Adding precise estimands to research practice expands the space of theoretical questions, clarifies how evidence can speak to those questions, and unlocks new tools for estimation. By grounding all three steps in a precise statement of the target quantity, our framework connects statistical evidence to theory.

The distribution of humour in literary texts is not random: a statistical analysis

2008 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 253-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marcella Corduas ◽  
Salvatore Attardo ◽  
Alyson Eggleston
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
General Theory ◽  
Statistical Model ◽  
Statistical Evidence ◽  
Literary Texts ◽  
Literary Theories ◽  
The Galaxy

The article presents statistical evidence for the claim that the distribution of humor in Oscar Wilde's Lord Arthur Savile's Crime and Douglas Adams's The Hitchiker's Guide to the Galaxy is not random and differs significantly between both texts. Using the methodology of the General Theory of Verbal Humor, all the instances of humour in both texts were identified and recorded. The distance between each instance was then calculated and subjected to analysis. The statistical model used to prove the hypotheses is explained in some detail and some hypotheses to explain the findings are presented. The significance of the finding that the distribution of humour in long texts is not random is found to lie in having introduced a new fact in need of explanation through literary theories.

scholarly journals In Vacuo Dispersion-Like Spectral Lags in Gamma-Ray Bursts

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 541
Author(s):  
Giovanni Amelino-Camelia ◽  
Giacomo D’Amico ◽  
Fabrizio Fiore ◽  
Simonetta Puccetti ◽  
Michele Ronco
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Linear Correlation ◽  
Gamma Ray ◽  
Statistical Evidence ◽  
Gamma Ray Bursts ◽  
Quantum Geometry

Some recent studies exposed preliminary but rather intriguing statistical evidence of in vacuo dispersion-like spectral lags for gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), a linear correlation between time of observation and energy of GRB particles, which is expected in some models of quantum geometry. Those results focused on testing in vacuo dispersion for the most energetic GRB particles, and in particular only included photons with energy at emission greater than 40 GeV. We here extend the window of the statistical analysis down to 5 GeV and find results that are consistent with what had been previously noticed at higher energies.

scholarly journals Medial plantar nerve: normative parameters of an electroneuromyographic study in adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 28-34
Author(s):  
D. A. Grishina ◽  
N. A. Suponeva
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Healthy Subjects ◽  
Tibial Nerve ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Research Practice ◽  
Healthy Individuals ◽  
Medial Plantar Nerve ◽  
Comparative Statistical Analysis ◽  
Group 2 ◽  
Group 1

Background. The study of the sensitive portion of the medial plantar nerve is relevant not only in the examination of patients with tibial nerve mononeuropathy or its branches, but also in the diagnosis of polyneuropathies.Objective: to analyze the normative parameters of the sensory potential recorded during the study of the medial plantar nerve by the orthodromic method in healthy adults.Materials and methods. 126 sensitive fibers of the medial plantar nerves were studied on the Dantec Keypoint G4 device (Denmark) in 63 healthy individuals (31 men and 32 women; age from 20 to 80 years). 3 groups were identified taking into account age: group 1 included healthy people aged 20 to 39 years (n = 23); group 2 consisted of people aged 40 to 60 years (n = 20); and 3 – older than 60 years (n = 20). The parameters of the sensory potential of the medial plantar nerve are analyzed.Results. The sensory potential in the study of the sensitive portion of the medial plantar nerve was registered in all 126 healthy subjects. Comparative statistical analysis did not demonstrate significant differences between groups 1–3 in the values of such parameters of the sensory potential as the latency of the onset, the duration of the negative phase and the rate of propagation of excitation. At the same time, in groups 2 and 3, the magnitude of the amplitude from peak to peak of the sensory potential was significantly lower compared to group 1, and averaged 8.92 and 7.86 MV, respectively.Conclusion. Knowledge of the regulatory parameters will allow expanding the use of electroneuromyography of the sensitive portion of the medial plantar nerve in clinical and research practice.

A STATISTICAL MODEL OF WINTER/SPRING POLAR OZONE

2021 ◽  
pp. 16-24
Author(s):  
N. S. Ivanova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
Statistical Model ◽  
Zonal Wind ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Satellite Measurements ◽  
Latitude Zone ◽  
Using Data ◽  
Polar Ozone

Satellite measurements provided by NASA (USA) at http://ozonewatch.gsfc.nasa.gov are used to study the variability and interdependence of polar ozone, polar temperature, and mean zonal wind. A model of winter/spring polar ozone in the Arctic and Antarctic is constructed using data on polar temperatures at 30, 70, and 100 hPa levels and mean zonal wind at 10 and 70 hPa levels in the latitude zone of 45°-75°. The results of the statistical analysis of the 1979-2020 polar ozone calculation errors are presented.

Part IV Measurement, 16 Legal Issues with Statistical Evidence

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Veljanovski Cento
Keyword(s):  
Statistical Analysis ◽  
European Commission ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Statistical Evidence ◽  
Legal Issues ◽  
Economic Evidence ◽  
Standard Of Proof ◽  
Significance Levels ◽  
General Concern

This chapter examines some of the legal and evidential issues surrounding statistical evidence. Courts are wary of statistical analysis and treat it as complex and difficult to reconcile with legal methods of determining damages based on documentary evidence. Indeed, the problem of estimated averages can conflict with the court’s approach. Moreover, there are statistical, economic, and legal issues surrounding statistical significance. The general concern is that reliance on conventional statistical significance levels may not reflect the legal standard of proof. The court can be assisted by the Practical Guide and Pass-on Guidelines of the European Commission, but also the best practice guidance of competition authorities for the submission of economic evidence.

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