Those who are disillusioned by the failings of opinion polling may be interested in Betfair Predicts---a set of predictions based on markets in their betting exchange. … [Read more...]
Kaggle provide home for high quality public datasets
Kaggle have launched Kaggle Datasets---a repository of "high quality public datasets". The repository will support: Access: simple, consistent access to the data with clear licensing Analysis: a way to explore the data without downloading it Results: visibility of previous work performed using the data Conversation: forums for discussing the nuances of the data … [Read more...]
NFL players join the Internet of Things
The NFL is fitting players' shoulder pads with data sensors. This will allow the real-time collection of metrics such as position, speed and acceleration. In last year's Pro Bowl sensors were installed in footballs to measure the length of throws. Surprisingly, given "Deflategate", they have chosen not to expand this idea. In addition to being used for the "game stats" that are popular in the … [Read more...]
Election polling errors blamed on bias
A report has concluded that the spectacular failure of pollsters to predict the result of the 2015 UK Parliamentary elections was largely due to systematic over-representation of Labour voters and under-representation of Conservative voters The report, compiled by a panel of academics and statisticians, was commissioned by the polling industry to determine why they had predicted a … [Read more...]
R is no more scary than Excel
John Mount of Win-Vector looks at doing analysis in Excel and R. He concludes that R isn't as scary as it sounds. If you are an Excel jockey who's heard about R, but has yet to take the plunge, it's worth a look. … [Read more...]