The August 2018 issue of Significance is out now in print and digital formats. In this issue we tell the story of R – the statistical programming language that became a subcultural phenomenon. On its 25th anniversary, we explore R’s history, community and culture – and consider what the future might have in store.
We also mark the upcoming centenary of a paper by RA Fisher in which he first introduced the statistical term 'variance'. What followed was a whole new field of statistical analysis.
Also this issue:
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Judea Pearl and Dana Mackenzie explain how the founders of modern statistics 'squandered' the chance to establish the science of causal inference.
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David Hand proposes a simple solution to the difficult problem of false facts and 'fake news'.
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Philip B Stark and Andrea Saltelli warn of the dangers of 'cargo-cult statistics'.
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And, ahead of the US Open Tennis Championships, Stephanie Kovalchik argues that a new 'serve clock' may be a waste of time.
RSS members can access the digital version of Significance through iOS and Android apps. If you are a print subscriber, your August issue will be arriving soon.
The article 'R Generation' is currently free to access.
Significance is online at www.significancemagazine.com.