The Data Download: You’re right to question your significance in this world of data

Sent by Joshua Katris  |  March 03, 2024

The Good

Nearly a century ago, the P-value was established as a benchmark to define the threshold for statistical significance in research data. This threshold determines at what point the value of a data point is considered statistically significant - or not. Gary Smith's recent article challenges the wisdom of adhering to a universal significance threshold if we want to value data properly.

The Bad

In Gary Smith’s article, he outlines why the current P-value of 5% has historically influenced researchers to manipulate data. This devalues data and creates a perception of ambiguity in our ability to trust the research experts are performing. 

The Ugly

Green Ridge Behavioral Health paid $40,000 and agreed to improve security after a ransomware attack exposed over 14,000 patients' data, resolving an OCR (HHS Office for Civil Rights) investigation. Ransomware attacks rose by 246% over five years, with 2023 seeing a 141% increase in significant breaches affecting 134 million people.

Read the HHS’ Press Release

Something to think about

Bitcoin, to date, has never been hacked. This is because of its underlying use of blockchain technology. Blockchain’s security relies on 2 factors. The first is the size of the network that is validating transactions. The second is its immutability. Immutability is something’s inability to be altered or deleted.

 

What would you choose if you had to choose between impenetrable security or your right to be deleted?

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Something to talk about

Share the quote that resonates most with you...

“Those who ignore statistics are condemned to reinvent it.”

 ~ Bradley Efron

American statistician

"Statisticians, like artists, have the bad habit of falling in love with their models."

 ~ George Box

British statistician (1919 - 2013)

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