On the Virtues Of Simplicity
Some Comments on Statistical Analysis in Anthropology
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 9218240 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Andrew L Christenson (Department of Anthropology, University of California, Los Angeles, corresponding author) |
| Year | 1979 |
| Volume | 24 |
| Issue | 83 |
| Pages | 35-38 |
| Publication date | 1979-02-01 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | No |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Plains Anthropologist (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 0032-0447 • E-ISSN: 2052-546X |
| Publisher | Informa UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1080/2052546.1979.11908941 |
| OpenAlex | W2769818765 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 1 |
The assumption of complexity seems to dominate much of anthropological thinking. This is clearly indicated by the frequency of use of complex multivariate statistics such as factor analysis. It is argued here that human behavior may often be much simpler than assumed and that the optimal approach to data analysis is to assume simplicity until demonstrated otherwise. It is also argued that when multivariate statistics are used, they are most effectively used in a deductive framework
Econometrics · Epistemology · Multivariate analysis · Multivariate statistics · Simplicity · Statistics · Computer Science · Cultural Differences and Values · Mathematics · Philosophy
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 0,07 |
| Citation span | 1982 - 1987 (6) |
| Citation velocity | historical |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |