inference
Let an agent handle inference by type, premises or data, method, validity and uncertainty.
Research draft, second pass
A second pass drafted this model: the structure a model of this thing needs, and what is known about it in the world. The line under this one says how the second half was obtained - researched against sources, or recalled without web access, in which case nothing here was read anywhere and every claim is a lead to verify. Unreviewed either way.
written by Claude from model knowledge without web access - no source was read, every claim is a lead to verify
Researched by: Claude
Purpose and description
Let an agent handle inference by type, premises or data, method, validity and uncertainty.
The process of deriving conclusions from premises or evidence, by deduction, induction or abduction in logic, and by statistical methods such as estimation and Bayesian inference in data analysis.
What it is for: Reasoning from what is known to what follows or is likely.
It can be check logical validity; estimate parameters from data; quantify uncertainty; avoid common fallacies.
Distinguishing features
From premises or data to conclusions
Deductive, inductive, abductive
Statistical inference quantifies uncertainty
Validity differs from truth
What it looks like
Arguments, proofs, statistical models and results.
How it is recognised
Premises and conclusions
Estimates with confidence or credible intervals
Machine learning inference means running a trained model
Related models
is a kind of - category
is studied by - fields
produces - outputs
is confused with - another sense
In practice
Families and kinds
deductive inference
inductive inference
abductive inference
frequentist statistical inference
Bayesian inference
Standards and regulation
Reporting guidelines for statistical analyses such as CONSORT
Failure modes and hazards
Fallacies
Overconfident estimates
p-hacking and multiple comparisons
Also called
+9
Where this came from
wikidata · CC0 1.0
Drafted structure
Bundle to layer to finding to question, as the second pass will find it: 4 bundles · 8 layers · 8 findings · 16 questions.
Type Which inference.
Types differ.
Kind
Deductive to Bayesian.
Kind
Inference type.
- What kind of inference is used? definition
- What does it guarantee? boundary
Premises
Inputs.
Premises
Premises or data.
- What premises or data does it start from? provenance
- Are they reliable? boundary
Validity Soundness.
Validity must be checked.
Logic
Valid form.
Logic
Logical validity.
- Is the argument valid? boundary
- Does it commit a fallacy? boundary
Assumptions
Model assumptions.
Assumptions
Assumptions.
- What assumptions does the method make? definition
- Do they hold here? boundary
Uncertainty How sure.
Uncertainty must be stated.
Intervals
Confidence or credible.
Intervals
Intervals.
- What interval accompanies the estimate? measurement
- How is it interpreted? definition
Robustness
Sensitivity.
Robustness
Robustness.
- How sensitive is the conclusion to assumptions? measurement
- Were alternatives tested? provenance
Practice Reporting.
Good reporting prevents errors.
Reporting
Transparency.
Reporting
Reporting.
- Are methods and results reported fully? provenance
- Were analyses preregistered? provenance
Senses
ML inference.
Senses
Other senses.
- Is running a trained model meant instead? boundary
- Which entry fits? action
What the second pass must settle
- Should inference types be separate entries?
- How should the ML sense be split off?
- How should uncertainty be recorded?