A recently reported study that suggested large numbers of young gamers exhibit signs of addition to videogames has come under scrutiny from the Entertainment Software Association (ESA). The trade group sent a letter to Dr Robert Kail (editor of Psychological Science), citing a blog by ABC News’ director of polling, Gary Langer, which called into question the claim that the results can be applied to the broader population.
The study, carried out by Professor Douglas Gentile, used data from Harris Interactive through an opt-in online survey. The survey itself actually reads, “because the sample is based on those who agreed to participate in the Harris Interactive panel, no estimates of theoretical sampling error can be calculated.”
Gentile responded to this discovery by admitting making a mistake. “I’d assumed they had gathered the population initially as part of a random probability sample, I missed that when I was writing this up. That is an error then on my part.” Michael Gallagher, CEO of The ESA, wrote in his letter to Dr Kail: “The concern arises from the fact that the sample group for the study was not randomly chosen… It was a ‘convenience’ sample of individuals who agreed to participate in the survey.”
“As you are likely aware, such a sample is not truly representative of a national population group. Thus the results cannot be projected onto the broader population of children in this country. And the sampling error of plus or minus 3 per cent that Dr Gentile cited in the study is also meaningless,” he wrote. “Based on the public comments of both Dr Gentile and Harris Interactive, we are requesting that any references to the study in your publication and on your website, clarify the methodological flaws in Dr Gentile’s study and inform your readers how those flaws affect the accuracy of the study.”
Result for: probability
A dictionary will define “card counting” as a “card game strategy used to determine when a player has a probability advantage.”
Bearing that in mind, Nevada gambling regulators have begun warning Las Vegas casinos that there is an effective card-counting program available in the Apple App Store for iPhone and iPod Touch users.
Although card counting as a practice is not illegal in Nevada, using a device to help you count cards is considered a felony.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board was tipped off by regulators in California “where officials at an Indian casino found customers using it and tipped state authorities.”
Result for: probability
Torrent.is, the largest torrent Tracker in Iceland, is facing a permanent shutdown and the probability that it will have to pay restitution to copyright owners.
In November of 2007 Torrent.is received a preliminary injunction which eventually led to a shutdown of the site and a massive 50 percent drop in overall internet traffic in Iceland. Earlier this week, at the public hearing of the case, the plaintiffs asked for the monetary damages as well as a permanent shutdown of the site.
Snæbjörn Steingrímsson, an executive with SMAIS (the Icelandic MPAA) led the investigation and said his clients had lost “a few hundred million ISK” because of the site. At its peak, the site had 26,500 active users, all in Iceland to ensure fast connectivity between peers and seeds.
Svavar Kjarrval, the head administrator of Torrent.is feels he has a strong case though. “The plaintiffs are making an outrageous claim. They argue that website and domain owners should always be responsible for copyright violations of third parties. The case could set a dangerous precedent if the court agrees with their claims.”
We will keep you updated.
