Oh, No

Reading Rees and Schnepel causes uncontrollable ralphing.
We have read nearly half of Daniel I. Rees and Kevin T. Schnepel report on fan behavior at NCAA Division I-A games.

And, we feel waves of nausea as we read through the study because we rarely read something with so many methodological flaws. Indeed, the paper appears so flawed, we can only wonder how this paper managed to see the light of day. lousy reviewers

We will have a full post on Wednesday.

Bad Statistics II

Tops in the Dick Envy category

Simply, in a word, wow. Rarely has Blipverts seen such piss poor research methodology. Too bad Blackberries from Detroit to Nashville to Torrance must be in full meltdown mode after Consumer Reports ‘ automobile brand perception rankings (HT: The Truth About Cars).

Money observation:

Among new-car shoppers, safety (63 percent) is the most important consideration, followed by quality (58 percent).

However, Consumer Reports’ survey has nothing to do with sales. If it did, Volvo would hold the top selling brand spot.

Twilight of Statistics Use

Caleb Crian, writing in the New Yorker, drags out dodgy statistics to scare the bejeezus out of the readership. Strap on the helmet and turn on the light because we are going deep into the bullshit.

Easy boys, the BS is piled thick here.

Dead Viewers Watching

The Associated Press finds that NBC’s nightly news shed half a million viewers while CBS’ lost a quarter million viewers. NBC’s and CBS’ executives blame the viewer loss on (1) summer time viewing habits, and (2) viewer’s skewed perception of their respective anchors, Brian Williams and Katie Couric. Meanwhile, the good people at ABC are popping their corks over the rankings. If you are associated with either of these three programs, then you need to refresh your resume because your numbers tell a different story.

Network news loses another viewer

Inflation and Beauty

Inflation like beauty remains in the eye of the beholder and skin deep. The Labor Department reports core inflation, which excludes the cost of food and energy, rose .1% or .001 in May. The June 16, 2007, edition of the Wall Street Journal referred to this rate as “meager.” Although the Journal may see inflation through rose colored glasses or (more likely) beer goggles, an ugly step sister lurks underneath that .1% skin.