Re: The role of statistics

[John <jsdwd@ispwest.com>]

Hello:

This is an interesting question.  On a number of occasions different people
have tried to create a "statistician' using decision trees and other
artificial intelligence techniques.  In fact, if I recall ASA had a group
studying the feasibility of this.  None of these attempts was successful and
you've pub your finger on one of the reasons why.

To continue to use the brick example.  The fact is that the statistical
input is needed throughout.  The hod carrier must be guided by statistical
principles so that bricklayer ends up with bricks he can use.

The statistical consulting is needed from before the first piece of data is
collected (which of a myriad of sampling plans allows the generalizations
one wishes, at the end, to be able to make??) until the summary of the final
report (what are the limits, in terms of knowledge - not numbers, of the
tolerance intervals one uses?)

Hope this is helpful.

John Dowd
jsdwd@ispwest.com