You are technically incorrect. The very worst kind of incorrect.
The correct statement is "a single data point is the tool of the scientifically illiterate and a trend does not make".
But multiple singular data points are, indeed, data, and can form trends so long as they're either collected randomly, or the collection bias is declared and acknowledged. All a trend is, is multiple data points. Ask n=1 person what wine they buy to gift at Christmas and it is an anecdote. Ask n=30 people what wine they buy to gift at Christmas and it is a collection of singular data points... And is data to assess.
You are technically incorrect. The very worst kind of incorrect.
Ironic.
The correct statement is "a single data point is the tool of the scientifically illiterate and a trend does not make".
I'm not taking about a single data point, because that would be the very point I'm highlighting about using just one data point to make a statement. I'm talking about all single data points.
You are technically incorrect. The very worst kind of incorrect.
The correct statement is "a single data point is the tool of the scientifically illiterate and a trend does not make".
But multiple singular data points are, indeed, data, and can form trends so long as they're either collected randomly, or the collection bias is declared and acknowledged. All a trend is, is multiple data points. Ask n=1 person what wine they buy to gift at Christmas and it is an anecdote. Ask n=30 people what wine they buy to gift at Christmas and it is a collection of singular data points... And is data to assess.
Ironic.
I'm not taking about a single data point, because that would be the very point I'm highlighting about using just one data point to make a statement. I'm talking about all single data points.