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How a Cup of Tea Laid the Foundations for Modern Statistical Analysis


Published on 2025-03-26 08:42:37 - Wired
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  • Scientific experiments run today are based on research practices that evolved out of a British tea-tasting experiment in the 1920s.

The article from Wired discusses how a simple tea experiment conducted by Ronald Fisher in the 1920s laid the groundwork for modern statistical analysis. Fisher, a statistician, designed an experiment to test a colleague's claim that she could distinguish whether milk or tea was poured first into a cup. This experiment involved a woman tasting eight cups of tea, four with milk poured first and four with tea poured first, in a random order. Fisher's approach to this problem introduced key statistical concepts like null hypothesis testing, randomization, and the use of p-values to determine the significance of results. His methodical approach not only resolved the tea-tasting debate but also set a precedent for experimental design in science, influencing how researchers test hypotheses and interpret data to this day. The article highlights how this seemingly trivial experiment underscores the profound impact of statistical methods on scientific inquiry.

Read the Full Wired Article at:
[ https://www.wired.com/story/how-a-cup-of-tea-laid-the-foundations-for-modern-statistical-analysis-adam-kucharski-proof-book/ ]