Martin Wells, a statistician at Cornell University, re-ran the statistical test to check whether regional variations in IQ -- which is lower in Latin America and Africa -- could account for the IQ differences Prof. Straus found. After accounting for regional variations, Dr. Wells found the effect of spanking vanished. Dr. Wells plans to use the Prof. Straus's research in the classroom to demonstrate why it is important to consider alternative explanations.
Friday, October 16, 2009
Smacking - the controversy shifts
Statistical studies into the effects of smacking are becoming even more controversial than the practice itself. If you can find the stomach to plough through this stuff it's really rather funny. Whole nations IQs are now being checked on the premise that spanking lowers them. The Wall St Journal reports on the latest studies and why statisticians find them wanting;
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3 comments:
Love that WSJ!
Wall Street Journal! I'm struggling with the Manawatu Standard!
Dirk
I noted the study was comparing children who were smacked 2 to 3 time a week with those who were not smacked at all. In my view smacking children 2 to 3 time a week is excessive and can diminish its effectiveness.
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