Session Overview
This lecture discusses some common ways that people use statistics to draw invalid or misleading conclusions. Image courtesy of spweber on Flickr. |
Session Activities
Lecture Videos
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Lecture 24: Avoiding Statistical Fallacies (00:49:36)
Lecture 24: Avoiding Statistical Fallacies
> Download from iTunes U (MP4 - 108MB)
> Download from Internet Archive (MP4 - 108MB)
About this Video
Topics covered: Statistics, plotting, correlation, causation, bias, logical fallacies, data enhancement, Texas sharpshooter fallacy.
Resources
Recitation Videos
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Recitation 10: Introduction to Dynamic Programming (00:38:30)
Recitation 10: Introduction to Dynamic Programming
> Download from iTunes U (MP4 - 84MB)
> Download from Internet Archive (MP4 - 84MB)
About this Video
Topics covered: Dynamic programming, memoization, overlapping subproblems, optional substructure, Fibonacci memoization example.
Check Yourself
What does GIGO stand for?
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What does 'cum hoc ergo propter hoc' mean?
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What is a lurking variable?
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Problem Sets
Problem Set 11: Fastest Way to Get Around MIT (Due)
In this problem set you will write a solution to an optimization problem on how to find the shortest route from one building to another on the MIT campus given that you wish to constrain the amount of time you will spend walking outdoors (because generally speaking, the nocturnal beaver… err, um, the nocturnal MIT engineer… hates the sun).
- Instructions (PDF)
- Code Files (ZIP) (This ZIP file contains: 1 .txt file and 2 .py files.)
Note: Solutions are not available for this assignment.
Further Study
These optional resources are provided for students that wish to explore this topic more fully.
- 7.2 Reading and Writing Files. Python Tutorial.