COMMON MISTEAKS MISTAKES IN USING STATISTICS: Spotting and Avoiding Them

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Problematical choices of summary statistics

Probably the most common summary statistic used in statistical analysis is the mean. Many of the most common statistical techniques (e.g., one and two sample t-tests, linear regression, analysis of variance) concern the mean. In many circumstances, focusing on the mean is appropriate. But there are also many circumstances where focusing on the mean can lead us astray. Here are some of them.

Skewed Distributions

Unusual Events

Ordinal Data

Distributions with Large Variability

Last updated June 1, 2011