AI engineering glossary · Probability
What is simpson's paradox?
Simpson's paradox: A phenomenon in which a trend visible within several groups reverses or disappears when the groups are combined. It arises when group sizes differ and a hidden variable affects both the groups and the outcome, warning against careless aggregation.
Simpson's paradox: an example
A treatment can have a higher success rate in each of two hospitals yet a lower overall rate if it is used mostly on the harder cases.
Related terms
More Probability terms
- Skewness
- Standard deviation
- Standard normal distribution
- Stationary distribution
- Stratified sampling
- Survivorship bias
- Systematic sampling
- Transition matrix
Where you learn it
Simpson's paradox is part of the AI Engineering Program, which teaches it with notes, a hands-on lab and an exam. The first lesson is free.