JSM 2011 Online Program

The views expressed here are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the JSM sponsors, their officers, or their staff.

Abstract Details

Activity Number: 182
Type: Contributed
Date/Time: Monday, August 1, 2011 : 10:30 AM to 12:20 PM
Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
Abstract - #301115
Title: Statistical Humor: An Oxymoron?
Author(s): Harry James Norton*+
Companies: Carolinas Medical Center
Address: Research Office Building #410, Charlotte, NC, 28232-2861,
Keywords: Teaching ; Statistical Education ; Humor ; Jeopardy style questions
Abstract:

Warning: this presentation contains no statistical theorems, proofs, or examples of innovative statistical procedures. Saul Bellow wrote in Herzog, "An utterly steady, reliable woman, responsible to the point of grimness, Daisy was a statistician for the Gallup Poll." Does Bellow's stereotype of statisticians ring true? Is the field without jokes, cartoons, statistical heroes or tales about statistics saving the day? Keeping undergraduate biology students and medical residents interested in statistics when the majority of the students are taking the class as a requirement can be challenging. I will present examples of jokes, stories, cartoons, poems, and one-liners about statistics, statisticians and teaching that I use in my classes to lighten the mood. I will pose Jeopardy style questions to the audience challenging them to identify quotes on the subject of statistics from famous people both real and fictional. Participants will learn why there is no Noble Prize for Mathematics and Statistics, discover who was the most evil mathematician of all time, and hear about the short story where a man uses his extraordinary knowledge of statistics to charm a woman into marriage.


The address information is for the authors that have a + after their name.
Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.

Back to the full JSM 2011 program




2011 JSM Online Program Home

For information, contact jsm@amstat.org or phone (888) 231-3473.

If you have questions about the Continuing Education program, please contact the Education Department.