/oss/taxonomy/term/4554/all en /oss/article/tips-better-thinking-anecdotes-are-not-reliable <p>There is a popular saying in the skeptical community: the plural of anecdote is not data. The clever putdown is meant to remind the person you are speaking to that no matter how many people swear by, let’s say, homeopathy, their testimonials do not prove homeopathy’s worth.</p> Tue, 19 Jan 2021 22:36:29 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8567 at /oss /oss/article/critical-thinking/tips-better-thinking-shooting-first-drawing-bullseye-later-0 <p>As we sift through more information than ever before, I would argue it’s becoming easier to commit an error in thinking known as the Texas sharpshooter fallacy. Imagine the stereotype of a Texan cowboy who randomly shoots up the side of a barn, goes up to it and traces a bullseye around the tightest cluster of bullet holes. It’s easy to declare yourself Texas’ sharpest shooter when you draw the bullseye after the fact.</p> Wed, 09 Dec 2020 16:31:41 +0000 Jonathan Jarry M.Sc. 8522 at /oss /oss/article/covid-19-health/predicting-emerging-covid-19-hotspotswithout-asking <p>The ability to accurately pinpoint areas where new cases of COVID-19 are rising would help to better allocate resources and enact better local policy.</p> <p>Most attempts made at monitoring COVID symptoms in the population have been conducted via online surveys or ‘apps.’ While these are tried and tested methods used to gather information, we know they have many inherent biases and flaws. People still need to “choose” to answer a survey… and many don’t. We also know people often give false information for a variety of reasons.</p> Mon, 25 May 2020 20:44:19 +0000 David Zlotnick MD, Contributor 8256 at /oss