Question

In 1995, Derek Jeter's batting average was 0.250; in 1996, his batting average was 0.314. David Justice's batting average in 1995 was 0.253 and was

0.321 in 1996. The team statistician claims Jeter's overall average was better than Justice's average. What may make this claim possible?

Sampling error

Cause-and-effect relationship

Convenience error

Simpson's Paradox

Confounding

Answer 1

The correct option is;

Simpson Paradox

Explanation:

The phenomenon whereby particular trends are prevalent in small data portions but are not evident or an inverse trend is observe when the portions are joined together is known as Simpson's paradox.

Whereby the data for calculating the bating averages as found online are given as follows;

Season, Derek Jeter David Justice

1995, 12/48 = 0.250 104/411 ≈ 0.253

1996, 183/582 ≈ 0.314 45/140 ≈ 0.321

The overall hits to the overall bats ratio are;

, (183 + 12)/(582 + 48) ≈0.310 (104+45)/(411+140) = 0.27

Which shows that Derek Jeter's overall average was better than Justice's average