Quantitude

In this week's episode, Greg and Patrick magically find themselves at trivia night in the Rusty Mackerel pub in Teelin, Ireland, where a secret celebrity trivia master puts them on the spot to test their knowledge of statistics and statisticians. Along the way they also discuss St. Paprikash, no back story, Hooker Oklahoma, The Karate Kid 2 soundtrack, the fourth wall, magically delicious, tau or taw, taco inception, Ted 2, the ESPN curse, 4.1% alcohol, lightning rounds, doohickeys, never Belgium, and The Rev. Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: quantitudepod.orgTwitterX: @quantitudepodYouTube: @quantitudepodMerch: redbubble.com

In this week's episode Patrick and Greg talk with Ken Bollen who is a Professor of Psychology and Sociology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In addition to exploring topics including home made rockets, sitars, and Jimi Hendrix, Ken talks with them about his brand new book Elements of Structural Equation Models and how he aspired to capture the many recent developments in SEM that have occurred since his monumental 1989 book on the same topic. Along the way they also discuss brushes with greatness, naughty bits, Mick Jagger, sharing a urinal, marginal notes, stranded in Brussels, matching t-shirts, asbestos walls, ruby rods, choosing between physics, chemistry, or terrorism, General Motors, the Berlin Wall, dust cover quotes, the fine print, side effects, elevated heart rates, cited but not read, Ravi Shankar, and matching BMWs.Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: quantitudepod.orgTwitterX: @quantitudepodYouTube: @quantitudepodMerch: redbubble.com

In this week's episode, Greg and Patrick discuss the decades-old method of the regression discontinuity design and describe how, when properly applied, this approach can strengthen our causal inferences when using quasi-experimental data. Along the way they also discuss Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor, playing barefoot darts, gaming the system, I see dead people, Googling age cut-offs, Van Halen's "Jump", Zoom calls in class, senior discount day, pivots, building saddles, biggest guy in the bar, grunting tennis players, refusing a raise, when the cops show up, and the ninth step.Stay in contact with Quantitude!Web page: quantitudepod.orgTwitterX: @quantitudepodYouTube: @quantitudepodMerch: redbubble.com

They debate whether college rankings actually serve students or mostly serve institutions and publications. They examine how metrics, weighting, and data collection shape rankings and create gaming opportunities. They explore alternatives like personalized matching tools and network-based clustering. They stress focusing on fit rather than chasing numerical placement.

A lively revisit of power analysis and why sample size planning keeps coming back. They unpack a cautious strategy called Nmax to guard against unknown contextual parameters. Listeners hear about collapsing many uncertainties into a single ‘shock absorber’ and the trade offs of planning for worst-case scenarios. The conversation mixes methodology with playful asides and practical planning advice.

Dive into the fascinating world of time-varying effects models with unique statistical insights. Discover how relationships between predictors and outcomes shift over time, illustrated with poignant examples like social support and mental health. The hosts break down complex ideas into engaging visuals, exploring the balance between rigid and flexible modeling. They also tackle limitations and practical applications. Prepare for laughter as they throw in whimsical references to pop culture and everyday quirks, making statistics entertaining!

In this festive special, two hosts frantically regift hilarious, memorable sponsor items to each other. They banter about a porcelain penguin and an electric mosquito zapper while reminiscing about past holiday highlights. Anecdotes about accidental re-gifts steal the show, including a wedding cutting board and a mistaken wine return. They explore quirky segments like Secret Father Christmas and discuss the missed opportunity of sponsor tags in episodes. Laughter ensues as they celebrate loyal listeners and share holiday cheer.

A thought-provoking discussion unfolds about the role of college admission essays in evaluating candidates. The hosts liken essays to the final block of a Jenga tower, questioning their significance. They explore the essay's historical evolution and the impact of the Common App. Delving deeper, they debate whether essays reveal writing skills or personal traits. Concerns about equity and fairness arise, especially regarding AI's influence on authenticity in applications. The episode challenges listeners to consider if the essay burden is truly necessary.

Dive into the wild world of GPAs, where grading quirks collide with high stakes! Discover why grades can often be misleading and inflated. The hosts debate different grading methods and their implications for fairness. They explore how GPAs can obscure true performance and the differences in interpretation among faculty. Plus, the pressure to inflate grades is scrutinized, alongside the argument for more meaningful, criterion-based assessments. It's an engaging mix of academic insights and personal anecdotes that keeps you questioning the value of those elusive numbers!

Discover the intriguing concept of latent transition analysis, a method that tracks changes in class membership over time. The hosts humorously dive into identity crises, faculty meeting archetypes, and the fine line between Pepsi and Coke. They explore the complexities of mixture models, discussing how to manage transitions and interpret probabilities. With anecdotes that lighten the mood, they consider the consequences of adding predictors and the importance of theoretical grounding in choosing models. Get ready for a mix of education and entertainment!