#119 Causal Inference, Fiction Writing and Career Changes, with Robert Kubinec
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Takeaways:
- Bob's research focuses on corruption and political economy.
- Measuring corruption is challenging due to the unobservable nature of the behavior.
- The challenge of studying corruption lies in obtaining honest data.
- Innovative survey techniques, like randomized response, can help gather sensitive data.
- Non-traditional backgrounds can enhance statistical research perspectives.
- Bayesian methods are particularly useful for estimating latent variables.
- Bayesian methods shine in situations with prior information.
- Expert surveys can help estimate uncertain outcomes effectively.
- Bob's novel, 'The Bayesian Heatman,' explores academia through a fictional lens.
- Writing fiction can enhance academic writing skills and creativity.
- The importance of community in statistics is emphasized, especially in the Stan community.
- Real-time online surveys could revolutionize data collection in social science.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to Bayesian Statistics and Bob Kubinec
06:01 Bob's Academic Journey and Research Focus
12:40 Measuring Corruption: Challenges and Methods
18:54 Transition from Government to Academia
26:41 The Influence of Non-Traditional Backgrounds in Statistics
34:51 Bayesian Methods in Political Science Research
42:08 Bayesian Methods in COVID Measurement
51:12 The Journey of Writing a Novel
01:00:24 The Intersection of Fiction and Academia
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