Statistical Ethics

There are two very important ethical issues involved in statistics. First, the whole point of statistics is to to provide an objective assessment of data, yet there are many ways in which we can twist sampling and statistical analysis to influence the outcome of our analysis while maintaining the appearance of objectivity. We need to discuss these Questionable Research Practices and outright unethical behaviour to make sure that it is clear that these circumvent the objectivity of statistical approaches and harm science.

Second, statistics and evolutionary biology are both highly successful and useful scientific fields, but they have a dark and harmful side. Statistical principles have been used by some (including some of the most prominent statisticians like Fisher and Pearson) to advocate misguided, racist and hurtful policies. We should not try and hide from these terrible views, or dismiss them because their proponents happened to also make key scientific discoveries. Instead, we need to bring these distasteful and harmful views into the light, so that we can remain vigilant to their various reincarnations in modern society.