I would remind readers of the concerns of Radstats (as stated on the inside
to the cover of the Journal):
* the mystifying use of technical language to disguise social problems as
technical problems
* lack of control by the community over the aims of statistical
investigations, the way these are conducted, and the use of the information
produced.
* the power structures within which statistical and research workers are
employed an which control the work and how it is used.
* the fragmentation of social problems into specialist fields, obscuring
connectedness
Seems to me that the recent discussions, and especially the contributions by
John Whittington, have demonstrated the importance of these concerns. The
discussions have helped make list members aware of the wide range of factors
that influence the production of medical statistics and that should be taken
into account in interpreting medical statistics.
The idea that the list should just be a notice board for meetings dismisses
the importance of these concerns. Meetings, mostly small, mostly in
London, mostly producer-oriented, don't often provide much opportunity to
address these concerns. This list does. Three hundred members (some as
far away from London as Buckingham!) can help reduce the ignorance that can
so easily pervade statistical systems.
Ray Thomas
35 Passmore, Tinkers Bridge, Milton Keynes MK6 3DY
Email: [log in to unmask]
Tel/Fax 01908 679081
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