Statistics

Ashley-Perry Statistical Axioms:

  1. Numbers are tools, not rules.
  2. Numbers are symbols for things; the number and the thing are not the same.
  3. Skill in manipulating numbers is a talent, not evidence of divine guidance.
  4. Like other occult techniques of divination, the statistical method has a private jargon deliberately contrived to obscure its methods from nonpractitioners.
  5. The product of an arithmetical computation is the answer to an equation; it is not the solution to a problem.
  6. Arithmetical proofs of theorems that do not have arithmetical bases prove nothing.

Hall's Law:

There is a statistical correlation between the number of initials in an Englishman's name and his social class (the upper class having significantly more than three names, while members of the lower class average 2.6).

Stamp's Statistical Probability:

The government is extremely fond of amassing great quantities of statistics. These are raised to the nth degree, the cube roots are extracted, and the results are arranged into elaborate and impressive displays. What must be kept ever in mind, however, is that in every case, the figures are first put down by a village watchman, and he puts down anything he damn well pleases.

Williams' and Holland's Law:

If enough data are collected, anything may be proven by statistical methods.

Brook's Law

If at first you don't succeed, transform your data set! 

JusticeOther laws and principles