The method that can "prove" almost anything - James A. Smith
835,561 Views
3,374 Questions Answered
TEDEd Animation
Let’s Begin…
In 2011, a group of researchers conducted a study designed to find an impossible result. Their study involved real people, truthfully reported data, and commonplace statistical analyses. So how did they do it? The answer lies in a statistical method scientists often use to try to figure out whether their results mean something, or if they’re random noise. James A. Smith explores p-hacking.
In the tea experiment, there are 70 ways that the eight cups can be sorted, only one of which is right. Can you work out how that was calculated? [Hint: if you have studied combinatorics in math, try that]
Sign in to answer questionAbout TED-Ed Animations
TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »
Meet The Creators
- Educator James A. Smith
- Director Anton Bogaty
- Narrator Addison Anderson
- Music Salil Bhayani, cAMP Studio
- Sound Designer Amanda P.H. Bennett
- Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
- Editorial Director Alex Rosenthal
- Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
- Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
- Fact-Checker Jennifer Nam
