Beyond Calculations: A Course in Statistical Thinking

ABSTRACT

Statisticians are in general agreement that there are flaws in how science is currently practiced; there is less agreement in how to make repairs. Our prescription for a Post-p?p-values work and don't work as expected, the role of statistics in the lifecycle of science, and best practices for statistical communication. The course we have developed follows the story of how we use data to understand the world, leveraging simulation-based approaches to perform customized analyses and evaluate the behavior of statistical procedures. We provide ideas for expanding beyond the traditional classroom, two example activities, and a course syllabus as well as the set of statistical best practices for creating and consuming scientific information that we develop during the course.