Data sets?

Jcharge · 23rd May 2012, 01:16 AM

I'm working on a report for a statistics I class and I need some data to play with and analyze. I want to do something related to skepticism. Does anyone know of a way to get a hold of data collected in tests for the Million Dollar Challenge? Thanks for the help.

wardenclyffe · 23rd May 2012, 01:20 AM

The only data set I'm aware of is:

number of winners = zero.

Ward

P.S. You'd probably have to write directly to the JREF for such things. We are just forum posters like yourself. I don't know what you're looking for. I don't know how you can create data sets from things as various as a dowser, a woman who says she can make you pee with her mind power and a man who can psychically turn pages in a phone book.

rjh01 · 23rd May 2012, 01:52 AM

There is this http://forums.randi.org/forumdisplay.php?f=43. However it is a few years out of date. Also a test happens only rarely. Most applicants know that they do not have any ability so are unwilling to do a test.

Ladewig · 26th May 2012, 02:30 PM

Originally Posted by wardenclyffe

I don't know how you can create data sets from things as various as a dowser, a woman who says she can make you pee with her mind power and a man who can psychically turn pages in a phone book.

Indeed.

............

Of course, you could create a RNG; think psychic thoughts while it chugs out numbers; and then look for patterns, trends, and groupings. The important part is to define success after you have examined all the numbers. All the best psychics do it this way.

EHocking · 30th May 2012, 03:33 PM

Originally Posted by Jcharge

I'm working on a report for a statistics I class and I need some data to play with and analyze. I want to do something related to skepticism. Does anyone know of a way to get a hold of data collected in tests for the Million Dollar Challenge? Thanks for the help.

I was given a heads up on this by a lurker on this thread (he can volunteer his interest by sending the PM if he likes).

I have a spreadsheet essentially up to the last few applications from the MDC applicants thread (as per rjho1's link). Can't find it immediately - and I was out on the tiles tonight. I'll try to find the collation of MDC applications I have and when I do I'll PM you to deliver the Excel sheet.

ETA: Hell's bells. A quick search coughs up this post of mine from Sept 2008!

Originally Posted by EHocking

Quote:

Originally Posted by Coveredinbeeees

Quote:

Originally Posted by EHocking

I compiled a spreadsheet of the entire list (about 6 months out of date now) to determine just how many applicants get to a final protocol and the reasons for not getting there. It's actually difficult to analyse statistically because of the number of applications that aren't or don't need to be determined by odds compared to random chance. A number of them are "it either happens or it doesn't".

Quote:

Did anything come of your research? It sounds interesting.

Quote:

Nothing much beyond the fairly basic. 143 applications, 11 agreed protocols, 8 actual Prelim tests, 8 failed Prelim tests.

The difficulty in building any decent stats from the population is that the population is so varied. I had nearly 30 categories describing different paranormal "abilities".

I really should go back and review and refine the study now that I'm more familiar with all the claims. It probably won't be this month though, I've got some web pages for another forum thread (see sig) that I've got behind in maintaining in the last few weeks.

jt512 · 30th May 2012, 04:33 PM

Originally Posted by Jcharge

I'm working on a report for a statistics I class and I need some data to play with and analyze. I want to do something related to skepticism. Does anyone know of a way to get a hold of data collected in tests for the Million Dollar Challenge? Thanks for the help.

The Independent Investigations Group runs a $50,000 challenge akin to the MDC, and has probably run a similar number of preliminary tests, none of which were passed. If you contact them, they may be able to provide you with more data—although I don't know what you would do with it statistically.

What sort of analyses are you looking to do.

Jay

Jcharge · 3rd June 2012, 10:16 PM

I just need some numbers to make nice-looking charts with, nothing too complicated. I decided to do the report on infant mortality in developing countries using data from the UN. But I am taking stats II in the summer so I will definitely follow up on the link to the IIG for next term.

Thanks.

23rd May 2012, 01:16 AM	#1
Jcharge New Blood Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 9	Data sets? I'm working on a report for a statistics I class and I need some data to play with and analyze. I want to do something related to skepticism. Does anyone know of a way to get a hold of data collected in tests for the Million Dollar Challenge? Thanks for the help.

23rd May 2012, 01:20 AM	#2
wardenclyffe Graduate Poster Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 1,485	The only data set I'm aware of is: number of winners = zero. Ward P.S. You'd probably have to write directly to the JREF for such things. We are just forum posters like yourself. I don't know what you're looking for. I don't know how you can create data sets from things as various as a dowser, a woman who says she can make you pee with her mind power and a man who can psychically turn pages in a phone book.
	__________________ ~~Na eth'er aa, ammre' en ank'aar'eith, d'emner'aa-, asd'reng'aather, em'n'err-aae...~ - Alenara Al'Kher'aat, aged 347

23rd May 2012, 01:52 AM	#3
rjh01 Gentleman of leisure Tagger Join Date: May 2005 Location: Planet Earth Posts: 17,190	There is this http://forums.randi.org/forumdisplay.php?f=43. However it is a few years out of date. Also a test happens only rarely. Most applicants know that they do not have any ability so are unwilling to do a test.
	__________________ dddffffpppqqqq Want to use your computer for something that will make society better? See this thread for details Folding@home

26th May 2012, 02:30 PM	#4
Ladewig Hipster alien Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: not measurable Posts: 16,817	Originally Posted by wardenclyffe I don't know how you can create data sets from things as various as a dowser, a woman who says she can make you pee with her mind power and a man who can psychically turn pages in a phone book. Indeed. ............ Of course, you could create a RNG; think psychic thoughts while it chugs out numbers; and then look for patterns, trends, and groupings. The important part is to define success after you have examined all the numbers. All the best psychics do it this way.
	__________________ Is the JREF message board training wheels for people who hope to one day troll other message boards? It is not that hard to get us to believe you. We are not the major leagues or even the minor leagues. We are Pee-Wee baseball. If you love striking out 10-year-olds, then you'll love trolling our board. Last edited by Ladewig; 26th May 2012 at 02:32 PM.

30th May 2012, 03:33 PM	#5
EHocking Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,410	Originally Posted by Jcharge I'm working on a report for a statistics I class and I need some data to play with and analyze. I want to do something related to skepticism. Does anyone know of a way to get a hold of data collected in tests for the Million Dollar Challenge? Thanks for the help. I was given a heads up on this by a lurker on this thread (he can volunteer his interest by sending the PM if he likes). I have a spreadsheet essentially up to the last few applications from the MDC applicants thread (as per rjho1's link). Can't find it immediately - and I was out on the tiles tonight. I'll try to find the collation of MDC applications I have and when I do I'll PM you to deliver the Excel sheet. ETA: Hell's bells. A quick search coughs up this post of mine from Sept 2008! Originally Posted by EHocking Quote: Originally Posted by Coveredinbeeees Quote: Originally Posted by EHocking I compiled a spreadsheet of the entire list (about 6 months out of date now) to determine just how many applicants get to a final protocol and the reasons for not getting there. It's actually difficult to analyse statistically because of the number of applications that aren't or don't need to be determined by odds compared to random chance. A number of them are "it either happens or it doesn't". Quote: Did anything come of your research? It sounds interesting. Quote: Nothing much beyond the fairly basic. 143 applications, 11 agreed protocols, 8 actual Prelim tests, 8 failed Prelim tests. The difficulty in building any decent stats from the population is that the population is so varied. I had nearly 30 categories describing different paranormal "abilities". I really should go back and review and refine the study now that I'm more familiar with all the claims. It probably won't be this month though, I've got some web pages for another forum thread (see sig) that I've got behind in maintaining in the last few weeks.
EHocking Illuminator Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 4,410	__________________ "A closed mouth gathers no feet" "Ignorance is a renewable resource" P.J.O'Rourke Prayer: "a sophisticated way of pleading with thunderstorms." T.Pratchett "It's all god's handiwork, there's little quality control applied", Fox26 reporter on Texas granite Forum Birdwatching Webpage Last edited by EHocking; 30th May 2012 at 03:45 PM.

30th May 2012, 04:33 PM	#6
jt512 Critical Thinker Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 389	Originally Posted by Jcharge I'm working on a report for a statistics I class and I need some data to play with and analyze. I want to do something related to skepticism. Does anyone know of a way to get a hold of data collected in tests for the Million Dollar Challenge? Thanks for the help. The Independent Investigations Group runs a $50,000 challenge akin to the MDC, and has probably run a similar number of preliminary tests, none of which were passed. If you contact them, they may be able to provide you with more data—although I don't know what you would do with it statistically. What sort of analyses are you looking to do. Jay
jt512 Critical Thinker Join Date: Sep 2011 Posts: 389

3rd June 2012, 10:16 PM	#7
Jcharge New Blood Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 9	I just need some numbers to make nice-looking charts with, nothing too complicated. I decided to do the report on infant mortality in developing countries using data from the UN. But I am taking stats II in the summer so I will definitely follow up on the link to the IIG for next term. Thanks.