The Evidence Project: Supporting scientific claims

Scientists strive to understand the operation of natural processes. To this end, they collect data both experimental and observational. The objective and quantitative interpretation of data as evidence for one hypothesis over another hypothesis is an integral part of the scientific process. None of the existing schools of statistical inference fully addresses the needs of working scientists. Scientists are forced to twist their thinking to pigeon hole their analyses into existing paradigms. We believe that a revision of statistical theory is in order, reflecting the needs of practicing ecologists. Through a dialog amongst working scientists, statisticians and philosophers this working group will seek to construct a new statistical approach focused on the quantification of evidence, which will supplement traditional paradigms. We will hone and demonstrate our approach through applications to difficult problems of ecological data analysis.