A place for philosophy? The rise of modeling in statistical science

Diaconis, Persi

doi:10.1090/qam/99606

Author: Persi Diaconis
Journal: Quart. Appl. Math. 56 (1998), 797-805
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1090/qam/99606
MathSciNet review: QAM99606
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Abstract | References | Additional Information

Abstract: Large statistical models seem to have reached epidemic proportions. I will document the harm they are currently causing and contrast it with some success stories of smaller modeling efforts. A case study involving a model for flipping coins shows how “adding a few bells and whistles” can lead to nonsense. Finally, an effort to list the “real uses” of models is offered as a start to making sense of current modeling efforts.

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