Opera's Statistical Booboo
Tuesday, January 3, 2012 - 14:40
in Biology & Nature
In data analysis, Gaussian distributions are ubiquitous. But that does not mean they are the only distribution one encounters ! In fact, it is unfortunately all too common to find unmotivated Gaussian assumptions in the probability density function from which the data are drawn. Usually one makes such assumptions implicitly, and so these remain hidden between the lines; the result is almost never dramatic, and those few among us who believe that doing science requires rigor are the only ones who are left complaining. read more