Ray Thomas said (11th Jan):
"Statisticians in using statistics to mean statistical method tend to be
blind to the fact that statistics, e.g. official statistics, have qualities
other than numerical values.  Many, if not most statisticians are ratherlike
'cheerful robots' (to use Wright Mills' classic phrase) in their handling of
statistics.  They are uncritical of the origins and purposes of the
statistics they use or help produce.  They expect to be able to learn
something just by manipulating the numerical values given."
 
Vernon Gale said: 
> As a sociologist who often collaborates with statisticians I 
> was somewhat
> taken by surprise. First, I think your view borders on being 
> rude to other
> professional colleagues. Second, I think that it is outdated and is a
> 'textbookish' stereotype. 

I have often enjoyed collaborating with statisticians. I agree with Vernon
Gayle that my message is aggressive towards them.  The message is about
situations when they won't collaborate!

Vernon Gayle is quite wrong in suggesting that my view is outdated.  On the
contrary the situation has become worse in recent years.  Government
statisticians are still cowed by the experience of Rayner Review and years
of servility under the Tories.   And the profession as a whole seems to
becoming more and more interested in using statistical programs and its own
status than in any philanthropic goals.

Anyone who doubts this should look at the RSS long term strategic plan.  The
Plan states that the objectives of the RSS is to nurture and promote the
discipline and to provide services to its members,  and goes on to say that
the aim is 'to make statisticians more valued in the workplace, which may
lead to better salaries ..'.

Apart from making the RSS seem like a trade union there is little wrong with
these objectives in themselves.  But what they don't say is crucial.   They
make no mention of the learned society aspects of the RSS nor the commitment
expressed in the Charter about the facts about society.    The RSS that is
now a professional organization is currently abandoning the philanthopic
aims that brought it into existence as a learned society.  

The use of Wright Mills' phrase 'cheerful robots' seems appropriate.  For
Mills cheerful robots were those who confuse their personal success with the
value of the work they do.  

I write as a good friend of those with statistical expertise.   But a good
friend must speak up when his friends start going off the rails!

.......

Now, where did I put that application form to be on the Statistics
Commission??!        ;-)

Ray Thomas, Social Sciences, Open University
Tel: 01908 679081 Fax 01908 550401
Email: [log in to unmask] 
35 Passmore, Milton Keynes MK6 3DY 

 


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