StATS: Statistical koan #3 (March 16, 2006)

The blindfolded donkey.

Student Leaf approached Master Stem with a question. "Master Stem. My statistical model requires an assumption of normality, but I have an outlier in the data. Should I not remove the outlier so I can satisfy this assumption?"

Master Stem replied, "It is a perilous journey you are undertaking and I understand your caution. When I last crossed the mountains, I was also cautious. The donkey I rode upon knew the path well, but during the most dangerous part of the journey, I blindfolded him because if he could not see the loose rocks on the path, he would not slip on them."

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