From Divining Rods to Statistics: A Forensic Analysis of the Misuse of Statistics in the Estimation of Environmental Impact. Issue 4 (2nd October 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Weitzman, R. A.
• Is Part Of: Chance. Volume 34:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 18
• Page End: 20
• Publication Date: 2021-10-02
• Subjects: Statistics -- Periodicals; Mathematical statistics -- Periodicals; Mathematical statistics -- Data processing -- Periodicals; Probablities -- Periodicals; 519.205
• DOI: 10.1080/09332480.2021.2003634
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0933-2480

Abstract

Abstract : Shortly after my retirement, I became involved in local water issues and learned that I could be of especial use in work on those issues because of my background in statistics. What I am reporting here is a minimally-technical account of the experience I had using statistics as a forensic tool to unearth what appears to have been a misuse of statistics in the modeling of the environmental impact of a proposed desalination project to provide water for the community where I reside. Of potential interest to statisticians is how statistics can be useful in detective work.