The World's Best Book Summaries
What are scientific controls? Why are they instrumental in experiments? In Bad Science, Ben Goldacre explains that scientific studies are designed to test one treatment at a time, without any influence from other factors. To do this, good researchers make use of scientific controls. Let’s go into more detail on a scientific control’s role in studies.
What is data manipulation in research? What are methods of data manipulation you should avoid? Unfortunately, some researchers manipulate data to fit their hypothesis. In Bad Science, Ben Goldacre discusses the ethics of altering data in an unprofessional way. Check out how to spot data manipulation in research.
Are you the type of person who makes decisions based on cold facts and evidence? What are some things you should consider when it comes to evidence-based decision-making? Considering evidence when making a decision is important, especially when it comes to high-stakes decisions. However, not all evidence is created equal. Never base your decisions on single-case evidence. Instead, base your decisions on representative evidence: evidence that reflects a large sample of cases. Here’s why you shouldn’t rely on case evidence when making decisions.
Why do we make decisions that contradict basic logic? What are some examples of illogical decision-making? One of the most common reasons we fail at logical decision-making is that we mistake correlation for causation. If two variables are correlated, it doesn’t mean one caused the other. In fact, causation is less likely. Here’s how mistaking correlation for causation results in misguided, irrational decisions.
How do you make data-driven decisions as a parent? What is actionable data? How do you apply data to your situation? Health economist Emily Oster claims that decisions around parenting are often overwhelming because you must navigate moral judgments, contradictory advice, and confusing data. In Cribsheet, she explains how to make data-driven decisions in parenting by gathering actionable data. Read on for Oster’s guide to making data-driven parenting decisions, including each step involved.
How accurately does national GDP reflect a country’s quality of life? What are the flaws with benchmarking a national standard of living against GDP? Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is commonly used as an indicator of a national standard of living. However, this is not necessarily the case. According to Vaclav Smil, the author of Numbers Don’t Lie, there are several reasons why we shouldn’t use GDP as a measure of a country’s quality of life. Here’s a look at GDP and standard of living.
What is the World Happiness Report? How accurately do the WHR rankings reflect national standards of living? The World Happiness Report aims to rank national happiness based on respondents’ answers about their quality of life. According to Vaclav Smil, the author of Numbers Don’t Life, we shouldn’t take the survey’s results at face value. Here’s why the World Happiness Report isn’t fully accurate.
What is Vaclav Smil’s Numbers Don’t Lie about? What is the key message to take away from the book? In his book Numbers Don’t Lie, Canadian scientist and economist Vaclav Smil wants to help you understand the world by understanding numbers and statistics. Numbers can help you see the world more clearly, but only if you know what they’re actually saying. Below is a brief overview of Vaclav Smil’s Numbers Don’t Lie: 71 Things You Need to Know About the World.
What is the best measure of a country’s standard of living? What is the problem with using GDP per capita as a quality of life indicator? According to Vaclav Smil, the author of Numbers Don’t Lie, the most important measure of the quality of life in a country is not GDP per capita, as many people believe. It’s the infant mortality rate. Here’s why infant mortality more accurately reflects the standard of living.
Is the world getting better or worse? Have lifestyles around the world improved over time? What do the data on disease, hunger, and mortality indicate? Steven Pinker argues that the world is getting better for humans everywhere. He looks at data in several categories, including lifestyle and health. According to Pinker, we see improvements in both of these areas. Keep reading to learn why Pinker is optimistic.