February 18, 2003

  • As a distinguished professor of quantitative analysis at graduate level in a public university, I have conveyed to the thirsting student masses glimmering elucidations about all things statistical. 


    I have lately, however, taken a posture most negligently with regards to you, my fellow bloggers, concerning statistical insights about blogging that are quite achievable within the context of acceptable hypothesis testing.


    In other words, I have conceived of a couple of statistical designs to test various hypotheses about blogging (and thereby lend scientific credence to my findings).  And I’m thinking it would be a good and interesting thing to share such findings with all of you.


    Here are a few of the null hypotheses I’m considering testing:


    1) There are no differences between male and female xangans with regards to the readability of their blogs, the grade-level of their blogs, and the topical content of their blogs.


    2) There are no differences between xangans and, let’s say, livejournalists (or blogspotters, etc.)  with regards to the readability of their blogs, the grade-level of their blogs, and the topical content of their blogs.


    My immediate questions to you are these:


    Does any of this sound interesting to you?  Would you be interested in the results?


    If the results didn’t ‘favor’ your group membership, would you take offense?


    Are there any other aspects of comparison that occur to you that might be tested statistically which you would like to see?


    One tool I’m considering employing is the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level Test used to assess the ‘grade level’ at which a composition is written and directed.  The generally held belief is that individuals are typically ‘comfortable’ reading something written 2 grade levels below their actual highest-attained educational level.


    By example, the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of this and my immediately previous blog were both 12.0 (that’s rather high!) and the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level of all of the Inaugural Addresses of all US Presidents is here.


    So…watcha all thing?!

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