Data Analysis Australia: Analytical Ideas

Data Analysis Australia has created a series of short papers titled Analytical Ideas, which discuss developments that are relevant to our clients and provide an insight into our approach to solving problems. A range of topics have already been covered and new papers will be added on a regular basis.

Statistical Graphics - Charts, diagrams and graphs have been used to present statistical data and results for centuries. The purpose is to present a finding or a summary of information in a manner where it can be readily understood. However they also have a dark side, where graphics are used to present a particular view or a biased interpretation of the data.

Political Polls - Confidence in political polls is a belief that the results will be close to the actual election. The recent election has shown that not all polls deserve our confidence. This highlights the issue of why do some polls perform better than others?

Questionnaire Validity - Due to the changing nature of the workforce, many organisations are required to undertake some forward planning to minimise any potential impacts relating to loss of staff. Statisticians are required to use a variety of investigative techniques to ease these impacts, including analysis of specifically designed surveys and forecasting models.

Cricket Scoring - The adjustment of cricket scores when play is interrupted is a statistical or mathematical problem. The standard in use today - the Duckworth-Lewis Method - was developed by two statisticians. This article explains how a simple mathematical model is used together with empirical data to solve this problem.

Response Rates - Survey results can be misleading! One way that many people are lulled into a false sense of security is when surveys quote a high "response rate". But what exactly is a response rate? And how does it influence the quality of the survey results?

Lawyers and Statisticians are often seen as opposites. However, in this Analytical Ideas article John Henstridge presents the argument that they have much in common. A conclusion reached during extensive experience as an expert witness in court.

Data Mining is an area commonly talked about today but rarely defined. Another paper in our Analytical Ideas series presents the statistician's view of Data Mining and argues that statisticians are uniquely placed to utilise these techniques.

Other papers in this series are: