Abstract Details
Activity Number:
|
47
|
Type:
|
Other
|
Date/Time:
|
Sunday, August 4, 2013 : 4:00 PM to 5:50 PM
|
Sponsor:
|
ASA
|
Abstract - #307024 |
Title:
|
How Statistics Saved the Human Race
|
Author(s):
|
Stephen M. Stigler*+
|
Companies:
|
The University of Chicago
|
Keywords:
|
|
Abstract:
|
Statisticians are generally agreed that the field of statistics is of value to society, but attempts to articulate the nature of that value often come up short. Yes, it is nice that we can count populations efficiently and economically. Indeed, our ability to balance risks in setting insurance premiums is beneficial. We can reduce vast collections of data to simple summaries, sometimes with little loss. We can also extrapolate, in Mark Twain's words, to gain "wholesale returns of conjecture out of . a trifling investment of fact." The history of statistics, however, shows us that the field has been far more important than is usually claimed.
|
Authors who are presenting talks have a * after their name.
Back to the full JSM 2013 program
|
2013 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.
The views expressed here are those of the individual authors and not necessarily those of the JSM sponsors, their officers, or their staff.
Copyright © American Statistical Association.