This is Part 3 of my series on using exploratory and inferential data analysis (EDA) to solve practical problems in complex environmental scenarios. Example 3 addresses a lawsuit against a major manufacturing facility and how, as an expert witness, I used EDA to show that the accused manufacturer could not be held liable for metal contamination of neighborhood soils.
Archive for the ‘Science’ Category
Data Detective Part 3: EDA for an Industrial Lawsuit
Posted in Logic and Rational Thinking, Methodology, Science, tagged analysis, comparisons., data, environmental, evaluation, Exploratory Data Analysis, hypotheses, inference, linkedin, litigation, statistics, testing, toxicity on October 19, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Darwin’s Year
Posted in Atheism & Religion, Science, tagged Evolution, Science on September 28, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
Darwin’s 150th anniversary of “On the Origin of Species,” also his 200th birthday, has been a busy year, both for evidence that further cements evolution as fact and books celebrating this theory as the most amazing realization that mankind has ever experienced.
Data Detective Part 2: EDA of Lake Sediment Toxicity
Posted in Logic and Rational Thinking, Methodology, Science, tagged environmental, evaluation, Exploratory Data Analysis, linkedin, Science, statistics on September 11, 2009 | 6 Comments »
This example addresses the use of exploratory data analysis (EDA) on data from Manistee Lake, Michigan. Part of the goal was to develop a conceptual site model (“CSM”) based on available data to help understand the contaminant issues in the lake and determine which of the contaminants were harming the lake biota. Results showed that damage was from a suite of contaminants all related to a specific type of shoreline issue, i.e., coal storage in piles.
Data Detective, Part 1: Exploratory Analysis of Scientific Data
Posted in Logic and Rational Thinking, Methodology, Science, tagged data analyses, education, environmental, Exploratory Data Analysis, linkedin, methods, Science, statistics on August 30, 2009 | 1 Comment »
Techniques known as exploratory data analysis can be used to achieve a better understanding of scientific data than is usually acquired from typical charts and tables. This can be important when there are difficult scientific questions and problems that require a more comprehensive understanding.
Science and Integrity: Part 1, Situations Matter
Posted in Ethics, Logic and Rational Thinking, Methodology, Science, tagged Ethics, integrity, linkedin, Rational Thinking, Science on August 27, 2009 | 1 Comment »
We scientists pride ourselves on doing work that is based solely in reality, with no personal bias injected. The most realistic among us realize that to do so is a very tall order indeed.There are numerous life circumstances that can influence scientific judgment. Not least of these is the circumstance of employment and financial security.
Dispersing the Seeds of Science
Posted in Atheism & Religion, Science, tagged education, Kirshenbaum, methods, Mooney, podcasts, PZ Myers, Richard Dawkins, Science on August 8, 2009 | Leave a Comment »
There has always been a smoldering concern among scientists and rational thinkers regarding the poor state of scientific knowledge, critical thinking skills, and factual understanding among the general population in the U.S. This smoldering ignited into actual interest (and even got some media attention) during the Bush administration. For eight long years, science not only [...]
