The Measurement of Statistical Evidence as the Basis for Statistical Reasoning

• Main Author: Michael Evans
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-03-01
• Series: Proceedings
• Subjects: statistical reasoning; statistical evidence; checking model and prior, measuring and controlling bias; relative belief
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2504-3900/46/1/7

There are various approaches to the problem of how one is supposed to conduct a statistical analysis. Different analyses can lead to contradictory conclusions in some problems so this is not a satisfactory state of affairs. It seems that all approaches make reference to the evidence in the data concerning questions of interest as a justification for the methodology employed. It is fair to say, however, that none of the most commonly used methodologies is absolutely explicit about how statistical evidence is to be characterized and measured. We will discuss the general problem of statistical reasoning and the development of a theory for this that is based on being precise about statistical evidence. This will be shown to lead to the resolution of a number of problems.