Strategy, methods and solving the right problem (Q1297825)

The article is devoted to the general methodology of statistical problem solving, especially by graphical tools. The author explores the process of the statistical problem formulation and solving. It is stressed that the specification of the problem is a principal part of its solution. Then the author's concept of statistical strategy is discussed. The author proposes to use Occam's razor principle for the statistical tools, used to problem investigation, i.e. to use as simple methods as possible. He claims that ``instead of learning how to use a method which will be used only a handful of times in one's life it may be better to spend this time becoming really familiar with a basic tool which can be used countless times and with careful and sophisticated use can be just as effective as the complicated tool''.