Filtered dossier

rankings

  • 4 / 4
  • No visual on file
    Statistical Illusions Entry #0433

    The reason a small sample produces the biggest effects

    Rank any set of groups by outcome and the smallest ones fill both extremes. Low counts produce wide swings, and the swing is mistaken for the finding.

    Adept
    The hidden part #0433

    Small samples swing hardest in both directions. Publishing only one tail turns the swing into a recommendation.

    Open file
  • No visual on file
    Statistical Illusions Entry #0441

    The reason per capita reverses many rankings

    Dividing by population removes size from a comparison. Since size drives most totals, the ranking that survives is often the opposite of the original.

    Adept
    The hidden part #0441

    A total measures magnitude and a rate measures intensity. Which one is published decides most of the ranking.

    Open file
  • No visual on file
    Statistical Illusions Entry #0449

    The reason a benchmark becomes a distortion

    A published comparison reorganises the thing it measures. Effort moves to the scored dimensions, and the unscored ones become where the cost is paid.

    Master
    The hidden part #0449

    Publishing a comparison makes it an intervention. Effort migrates to the scored dimensions, and the unscored ones have no series to show the loss.

    Open file