AW: [ RadSafe ] Excellent article on pseudo-connections

[Rainer.Facius at dlr.de]

Dave,

thank you for that really important pointer.

The "multiple hypotheses testing" problem addressed by Austin et al. in this playful disguise is a problem rarely if ever addressed in radio-epidemiological studies. Essentially, it renders spurious most if not all of the "significant" associations found. 

Anyone wishing to study Austin's et al. results in more detail might wish to consult:

Austin P C, Mamdani M M, Juurlink D N, Hux J E.
Testing multiple statistical hypotheses resulted in spurious associations: a study of astrological signs and health.
J Clin Epi 59(2006)964-949

Best regards, Rainer

Dr. Rainer Facius
German Aerospace Center
Institute of Aerospace Medicine
Linder Hoehe
51147 Koeln
GERMANY
Voice: +49 2203 601 3147 or 3150
FAX:   +49 2203 61970


________________________________

Von: radsafe-bounces at radlab.nl im Auftrag von neildm at id.doe.gov
Gesendet: Mi 28.02.2007 17:52
An: radsafe at radlab.nl
Betreff: [ RadSafe ] Excellent article on pseudo-connections



"Astrological" health correlations

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2007/02/070218140157.htm

"We did this study to prove a larger point -- the more we look for
patterns, the more likely we are to find them ..."

It certainly couldn't resemble any subject much discussed here lately.
Yeah ... right.  :-P 

Dave Neil
neildm at id.doe.gov
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