The Hidden Patterns in Data

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The Hidden Patterns in Data

Steve Jones - SSC Editor

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May 27, 2015 at 9:30 pm

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Comments posted to this topic are about the item The Hidden Patterns in Data

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Yet Another DBA SSCarpal Tunnel Points: 4299 More actions · Answer 1

Like the link 🙂

Number of times a colleague will says looks at these numbers and you can see the trend. As soon as the numbers have been turned into something graphical then the "obvious" trend is replaced with something more truthful. Graphical representation often helps everyone to understand the issues. I have worked on too many 500 page reports and the 80 columns of raw data to have much faith in their use.

But saying that I have also seen the wrong type of charts to be used to hide the details because of politics.

Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 2

Statistics is difficult. Analysis of statistics even more so.

There are two things I find funny about statistics:

The quote attributed to Benjamin Disraeli: "Lies - damn lies - and statistics".
The link of margarine consumption to divorce.

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

Wayne West SSC-Insane Points: 22586 More actions · Answer 3

Gary Varga (5/28/2015)
Statistics is difficult. Analysis of statistics even more so.
There are two things I find funny about statistics:
The quote attributed to Benjamin Disraeli: "Lies - damn lies - and statistics".
The link of margarine consumption to divorce.

I saw an extension of the alleged Disraeli line that added ship dates and two others that I can't remember.

I think my favorite spurious correlation is the line spouted by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. They have a graph that shows a correlation between the decreasing number of pirates and the increase in global temperature.

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[font="Arial"]Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information upon it. --Samuel Johnson[/font]

Gary Varga SSC Guru Points: 82166 More actions · Answer 4

Wayne West (5/28/2015)
...Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster...

Everyone should treat themselves to a chuckle :hehe:

Gaz

-- Stop your grinnin' and drop your linen...they're everywhere!!!

Jeff Moden SSC Guru Points: 1003863 More actions · Answer 5

Wayne West (5/28/2015)
I think my favorite spurious correlation is the line spouted by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. They have a graph that shows a correlation between the decreasing number of pirates and the increase in global temperature.

Heh... the pirates are still there. They just changed their dress code to suit and tie. 😀

--Jeff Moden

RBAR is pronounced "ree-bar" and is a "Modenism" for Row-By-Agonizing-Row.
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________Stop thinking about what you want to do to a ROW... think, instead, of what you want to do to a COLUMN.

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Wayne West SSC-Insane Points: 22586 More actions · Answer 6

Jeff Moden (5/28/2015)
Wayne West (5/28/2015)
I think my favorite spurious correlation is the line spouted by the Church of the Flying Spaghetti Monster. They have a graph that shows a correlation between the decreasing number of pirates and the increase in global temperature.
Heh... the pirates are still there. They just changed their dress code to suit and tie. 😀

...and moved to Wall Street, K Street, and Capital Hill!

-----
[font="Arial"]Knowledge is of two kinds. We know a subject ourselves or we know where we can find information upon it. --Samuel Johnson[/font]

Eric M Russell SSC Guru Points: 125522 More actions · Answer 7

When it comes to politics, I think they first draw the pie chart to make a point, and then they twist the data to fit the chart.

"Do not seek to follow in the footsteps of the wise. Instead, seek what they sought." - Matsuo Basho

akljfhnlaflkj SSC Guru Points: 76202 More actions · Answer 8

Eric M Russell (5/29/2015)
When it comes to politics, I think they first draw the pie chart to make a point, and then they twist the data to fit the chart.

I totally agree and it's done at every level.

akljfhnlaflkj SSC Guru Points: 76202 More actions · Answer 9

I love data, love trying to see things in data, understanding what it is telling me. I have fallen into that trap of too quick of a conclusion and then working to make the data support it. But I work at holding off my evaluations until I better understand what I am looking at.

Ed Wagner SSC Guru Points: 287024 More actions · Answer 10

Iwas Bornready (6/2/2015)
I love data, love trying to see things in data, understanding what it is telling me. I have fallen into that trap of too quick of a conclusion and then working to make the data support it. But I work at holding off my evaluations until I better understand what I am looking at.

That's one of the points Gail makes in here editorial on the scientific method at http://www.sqlservercentral.com/articles/Editorial/126613/.

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