Selected posts on other blogs

Measuring evangelicals

Exit polls use a flawed question to measure evangelical identity. In 1998, Gallup used this measure to estimate that evangelicals constitute 47% of the American population. At the Immanent Frame (a blog of the Social Science Research Council), I discuss the problems with using this measure to understand the role of evangelicals in the 2008 presidential election. In the comments section of this page, I debate how to measure evangelicals with journalist Christine Wicker, who wrote a book about evangelicals in America.

Debunking anti-vaccine stunt

Psychology professor Seth Roberts conducts self-experiments to develop cures alleged to solve acne, insomnia, and obesity, among other problems. Columbia statistician Andrew Gelman is sympathetic to his research. Roberts' diet book became a best-seller thanks to endorsements of Steven Levitt and Stephen Dubner in the New York Times and Freakonomics. Roberts has an interesting blog but I was alarmed when he endorsed a challenge alleging vaccines are so harmful no doctor will consume their ingredients, even for $200,000. In the comments section, I eventually convince him this challenge is a sham.

      All my shared items

---