Suppose we have a sample of observations indexed by two factors and

• the unreplicated two-factor ANOVA assumes that the observation is of the form
• is the overall mean, is the differential effect of factor one, is the differential effect of factor two, and

  

• For and the random variable is normally distributed with mean zero and variance
• For and the random variables are independent.
• Total number of observations is

More on Point estimates of means and Sums of squares later.

I realize this sounds negative, but it’s not, really. I try hard to keep my life somewhat balanced, but, to me, that’s a subjective term/concept. Unbalanced to me means something completely different to me than it does to you or anyone else. I derive pleasure and excitement from going beyond my own limits, whether that be physical or mental. Limits to me are strictly mathematical in nature (, for example) and are therefore infinite by nature. Therefore, I don’t really believe in limits, per se.

Even with my own work, I try to learn about aspects or obtaining data that are perhaps not even considered because it’s somehow not relevant. It may not be, but I have a keen interest in science and mathematics/physics, therefore someone without these interests may fail to realize something important that I may have considered. This is not to say that others are stupid or uneducated, it’s simply the fact that they are more narrowly focused on one aspect of a particular field of interest. That’s all. When you expand your horizons/interests, so to speak, you become more well-read and have a deeper understanding of the way things operate and the reasons they operate the way they do. My interest in math and physics is a great example in this case because most people in my area (cognitive neuroscience of language), at least at my university, have almost zero interest in math or physics. To them, they see it as a completely different field that has no relevance. I feel CNL relies heavily on math and physics and we can only benefit our methodologies by learning something about the physics of MEG or fMRI. When you know this, you learn about the underpinnings of the operations, therefore you have a better understanding of how to compose a great experiment.

These are just a few of my thoughts I thought I’d share. They may be off or completely wrong to some, but they’re mine. At least I can claim they’re original and self-inspired.

One thing that is extremely annoying is when data becomes fudged and unfudging it is a pain in the ass. I’m sure many people can empathize with me on this one. I’m extremely annoyed at the moment with Excel (or, better yet, with myself for being a complete moron and not paying enough attention to detail).

Sadly, there isn’t much I can do at the moment except suck it up and redo what needs redoing. Unfortunately.

I just felt I needed to get that out since I was terribly annoyed with myself. Actually, I still am when I think about the revisions I’m gonna need to do to the file. It’s a matter of copying and pasting, but the problem isn’t so simple. The numbers are very important and it’s hard to get them all without messing something up. It needs to get redone.

Oh well.

\end{rant}



*I just wanted to test out the new latex feature I Just learned was supported on WordPress.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/05/us/05hm.html?_r=3=all&adxnnl=1&adxnnlx=1228507415-mi+zdcyI7t16Ay9BXN84xA

But there’s one thing that disturbs me: the list technically isn’t done.  However, my IRB approval email came yesterday.  So this means I can start running subjects.  My list isn’t far from being done, it just needs final touch-ups and tightening up to ensure that it’s done properly.  We cannot afford it not done properly otherwise the entire experiment is a soup-sandwich.  

So I suppose I cannot complain since all that’s left is “making sure” the list is as tight as it can be (statistically speaking).  Although, I do have to change some non-word conditions since they appear to have real affixes attached to them (e.g., -y, -s, etc).  This task is almost done, though.

Aside from that small matter, and perhaps a few more checks on the t-tests, all looks like this will I will be able to run a participant (one, but better than nothing).

You’ll see a post at the end of this week claiming that one participant had been run!  Then the ball will have started rolling.  What a feeling that’ll be.

Okay, enough on that issue.  

Speaking of goals, I’ve set another one: my stimuli list WILL be done this week, again, regardless of what needs to be done in order for that to happen.  It’s just that in order for the goal of finishing this (school) year is concerned, my experiment has to start very soon.  In order to start very soon, I need the stim list done this week.  Granted, we’re still waiting for our IRB approval, but those are minor details.  This is happening.  No questions asked.  

I feel very focused this year.  It’s obviously a great thing to feel at the start of the school year.  Maybe it’s because my course-load is somewhat limited, as both courses are seminars.  But I think there’s more to that story than simply “seminars.”  Maybe the will to finish and do something as best as you can do it, therefore you don’t look back and say, “Shit, I finished it quickly just to say I finished in X-amount of time.  I could’ve done this to make it better.”  But as you know, to do something well, it takes time.  And I’ll make all the time necessary to make it happen.  After all, this type of focus is engrained in me from my military days, it’s just a matter of tapping into it again.  And I think I have this year.  The past two years were wishy-washy as far as focus; not this year.  I’m in.  I’m all in and I’m not stopping for anything.  I’ll enjoy myself, of course, but focus is key this year.

“Where is he?”

On her quest for the answer, she stops, waiting for her pain to be released into the earth.  Maybe someone will find one piece of it and return to sender.  Maybe that person is he.

People stop by and express condolences, not knowing that what has passed has already been gone for far too long and there need not be any condoling.  But we do not speak of the dead, we speak of the living and the lost.  The living are lost and the lost are living and loving.  There is only one thing to think about and that is what once was.  

“I once had a family.”

“I once had a child.”  

“I once could have loved.”

“There once existed opportunity.”

The child no longer exists.  

Peace.  Happiness.  Denouncement.  Peaceful denouncement of happiness.  People denouncing the happiness of peace.

Walking through the narrowness of life, the author sees patients of patience.  Not knowing what to make of it, the author assumes responsibility for feelings of regret and detestability.  No.  

Wait.  

Listen.  

There is mother.  The token of life and protection.  Extend your arms and embrace this figure before you.  Ask her about her hair and condition.  Reminisce.  Be informed of death, but not life.  For to be informed of such a matter, the informant is ill-informed.  

Perhaps we can speak of her as being ill.  

There is nothing left to do but brew a drink and drink and brew of the freshest tea sold in all continents!  People will spend their money on this brew, and their memories will have been drowned by the flavor of the Harrogate family.  Drink and be merry!