Lady Tasting Tea: The first two chapters of David Salsburg’s book about the history of statistics discuss ideas from several famous scientists including Ronald Fisher, Karl Pearson, Francis Galton and Charles Darwin. Normal distribution seems to be the most relevant piece to understand in the context of a course about data. Parameters to note are: the mean, the standard deviation, symmetry, and kurtosis.
The Function of Measurement in Modern Physical Science by Thomas Kuhn was a bit difficult to absorb — it seems that the hand-out is fractured. However, Kuhn starts with a direct, summarizing statement: “Both as an ex-physicist and as an historian of physical science I feel sure that, for at least a century and a half, quantitative methods have indeed been central to the development of the fields I study. On the other hand, I feel equally convinced that our most prevalent notions both about the function of measurement and about the source of its special efficacy are derived largely from myth.”
Another component of this week’s assignment was to play an old game called Mastermind (thanks for the new link Ryan). At first, it just made my mind ache, but after a few games, it was somewhat satisfying and kinda fun. See my progress w some images here:
