DATA MINING

Megan warns against the perils of data mining,

the idea that because some number was particularly good under the presidency of one’s chosen political party, that this therefore means that their policies are correct. Specifically, they use this kind of data to claim that some thing of which they are in favor is good for the economy — without reference to what that piece of data would have looked like absent their favored item.

Yep. To which I add my routine corollary: Presidents have precious little control over the economy.

FILED UNDER: Economics and Business, The Presidency
James Joyner
About James Joyner
James Joyner is Professor and Department Head of Security Studies at Marine Corps University's Command and Staff College. He's a former Army officer and Desert Storm veteran. Views expressed here are his own. Follow James on Twitter @DrJJoyner.