RE: order of covariate inclusion -> avoiding stepwise approaches -> abandoning exploratory analysis?

From: mark.e.sale@gsk.com Subject: RE: [NMusers] order of covariate inclusion -> avoiding stepwise approaches -> abandoning exploratory analysis? Date: 9/26/2003 11:48 AM Bill, I have to agree. At the risk of being accused of being a frequentist, the Bayesian view can be taken too far. (collective gasp!!!). But, the reality is that we are often (usually??) wrong about our models, that why we do studies. We shouldn't (yet) complete discard the old "scientific method" of hypothesis generation - data - hypothesis test/new hypothesis generation. The learn/confirm view is frequently more like GenerateHypothesis Convince oneself that hypothesis is true CompletePhD age = 30 Do while not (hypothesis = true) GetData age = age + 1 Data suggests hypothesis isn't true if age > 99 then exit end do end Those in academics should add a call to WriteGrant inside the do loop Mark