In May of 1973 we organized an international research colloquium on foundations of probability, statistics, and statistical theories of science at the University of Western Ontario. During the past four decades there have been striking formal advances in our understanding of logic, semantics and algebraic structure in probabilistic and statistical theories. These advances, which include the development of the relations between semantics and metamathematics, between logics and algebras and the algebraic-geometrical foundations of statistical theories (especially in the sciences), have led to striking new insights into the formal and conceptual structure of probability and statistical theory and their scientific applications in the form of scientific theory. The foundations of statistics are in a state of profound conflict. Fisher's objections to some aspects of Neyman-Pearson statistics have long been well known. More recently the emergence of Bayesian statistics as a radical alternative to standard views has made the conflict especially acute. In recent years the response of many practising statisticians to the conflict has been an eclectic approach to statistical inference. Many good statisticians have developed a kind of wisdom which enables them to know which problems are most appropriately handled by each of the methods available. The search for principles which would explain why each of the methods works where it does and fails where it does offers a fruitful approach to the controversy over foundations.

Klappentext

Proceedings of an International Research Colloquium held at the University of Western Ontario, London, Canada, 10-13 May 1973

Inhalt
The Poverty of Statisticism.- Discussion.- On the Equivalence of Standard Inference Procedures.- Discussion.- Empirical Probability, Objective Statistical Methods, and Scientific Inquiry.- Discussion.- Philosophy of Survey-Sampling Practice.- Discussion.- The Bayesian Influence, or How to Sweep Subjectivism Under the Carpet.- Confidence Intervals vs Bayesian Intervals.- Discussion.- Interfaces Between Statistics and Content by Margaret W. Maxfield.- Jaynes' Reply to Margaret Maxfield.- Comments.- Jaynes' Reply to Kempthorne's Comments.- On Tests of Significance.- Discussion.- Statistics and the Philosophers.- Discussion.- Statistical Knowledge and Statistical Inference.- Discussion.- Bayesian Statistics.- Discussion.- A Theory of Statistical Evidence.- Discussion.- Testing Theories and the Foundations of Statistics.- Discussion.