Get 20M+ Full-Text Papers For Less Than $1.50/day. Start a 14-Day Trial for You or Your Team.

Learn More →

Using models to correct data: paleodiversity and the fossil record

Using models to correct data: paleodiversity and the fossil record Despite an enormous philosophical literature on models in science, surprisingly little has been written about data models and how they are constructed. In this paper, I examine the case of how paleodiversity data models are constructed from the fossil data. In particular, I show how paleontologists are using various model-based techniques to correct the data. Drawing on this research, I argue for the following related theses: first, the ‘purity’ of a data model is not a measure of its epistemic reliability. Instead it is the fidelity of the data that matters. Second, the fidelity of a data model in capturing the signal of interest is a matter of degree. Third, the fidelity of a data model can be improved ‘vicariously’, such as through the use of post hoc model-based correction techniques. And, fourth, data models, like theoretical models, should be assessed as adequate (or inadequate) for particular purposes. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Synthese Springer Journals

Using models to correct data: paleodiversity and the fossil record

Bokulich, Alisa
Synthese , Volume 198 (Suppl 24) – Oct 1, 2021
Download PDF
22 pages

Loading next page...
 
/lp/springer_journal/using-models-to-correct-data-paleodiversity-and-the-fossil-record-60jh1W50zv
Publisher
Springer Journals
Copyright
Copyright © Springer Nature B.V. 2018
Subject
Philosophy; Philosophy of Science; Epistemology; Logic; Philosophy of Language; Metaphysics
ISSN
0039-7857
eISSN
1573-0964
DOI
10.1007/s11229-018-1820-x
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

Despite an enormous philosophical literature on models in science, surprisingly little has been written about data models and how they are constructed. In this paper, I examine the case of how paleodiversity data models are constructed from the fossil data. In particular, I show how paleontologists are using various model-based techniques to correct the data. Drawing on this research, I argue for the following related theses: first, the ‘purity’ of a data model is not a measure of its epistemic reliability. Instead it is the fidelity of the data that matters. Second, the fidelity of a data model in capturing the signal of interest is a matter of degree. Third, the fidelity of a data model can be improved ‘vicariously’, such as through the use of post hoc model-based correction techniques. And, fourth, data models, like theoretical models, should be assessed as adequate (or inadequate) for particular purposes.

Journal

Synthese – Springer Journals

Published: Oct 1, 2021

Keywords: Paleontology; Paleobiology; Evolution; Data; Model; Suppes; Fossil; Biodiversity; Representation; Simulations; Climate science; Sepkoski; Data models

References

  • Geographical, environmental, and intrinsic biotic controls on phanerozoic marine diversification
    Alroy, J
  • Fair sampling of taxanomic richness and unbiased estimation of origination and extinction rates
    Alroy, J; Alroy, J; Hunt, G
  • Assessing the quality of the fossil record: Insights from vertebrates
    Benton, M; Dunhill, A; Lloyd, G; Marx, F; McGowan, A; Smith, A
  • A simulation-based examination of residual diversity estimates as a method of correcting for sampling bias
    Brocklehurst, N
  • Rarefaction and nonrandom spatial dispersion patterns
    Collins, M; Simberloff, D
  • Representing the global atmosphere: Computer models, data, and knowledge about climate change
    Edwards, P; Miller, C; Edwards, P
  • Punctuated equilibria: An alternative to phyletic gradualism
    Eldredge, N; Gould, SJ; Schopf, T
  • Elvis taxa
    Erwin, D; Droser, M
  • Perspective: Evolutionary patterns in the fossil record
    Foote, M
  • The population frequencies of species and the estimation of population parameters
    Good, IJ
  • The shape of evolution: A comparison of real and random clades
    Gould, SJ; Raup, D; Sepkoski, J; Schopf, T; Simberloff, D
  • The shape of evolution: The MBL model and clade shape
    Huss, J; Sepkoski, D; Ruse, M
  • Estimating paleodiversities: A test of taxic and phylogenetic methods
    Lane, A; Janis, C; Sepkoski, J
  • Current perspectives on the permian-triassic boundary and end-permian mass extinction: Preface
    Metcalfe, I; Isozaki, Y
  • Why atmospheric modeling is good science
    Norton, S; Suppe, F; Miller, C; Edwards, P
  • Tree-based approaches to understanding history: Comments on ranks, rules, and the quality of the fossil record
    Norwell, M
  • Scientific models and adequacy for purpose
    Parker, W
  • Taxonomic diversity during the phanerozoic
    Raup, D
  • Taxanomic diversity estimation using rarefaction
    Raup, D
  • Dinosaurs in decline tens of millions of years before their final extinction
    Sakamoto, M; Benton, M; Venditti, C
  • ‘Residual diversity estimates’ do not correct for sampling bias in palaeodiversity data
    Sakamoto, M; Venditti, C; Benton, M
  • Compendium of fossil marine families
    Sepkoski, J
  • A kinetic model of phanerozoic taxanomic diversity. III. Post-paleozoic families and mass extinctions
    Sepkoski, J
  • What I did with my research career: Or how research on biodiversity yielded data on extinction
    Sepkoski, J; Glenn, W
  • ‘Replying life’s tape’: Simulations, metaphors, and historicity in Stephen Jay Gould’s view of life
    Sepkoski, D
  • ‘Towards a natural history of data’: Evolving practices and epistemologies of data in paleontology, 1800–2000
    Sepkoski, D
  • ‘Replaying life’s tape’: Simulations, metaphors, and historicity in Stephen Jay Gould’s view of life
    Sepkoski, D
  • Sampling bias, gradual extinction patterns and catastrophes in the fossil record
    Signor, P; Lipps, J; Silver, L; Schultz, P
  • The shape of the phanerozoic marine paleodiversity curve: How much can be predicted from the sedimentary rock record of Western Europe
    Smith, A; McGowan, A
  • Models of data
    Suppes, P; Nagel, E; Suppes, P; Tarski, A
  • Phylogenetic and taxic perspectives on sauropod diversity
    Upchurch, P; Barrett, P; Rogers, K; Wilson, J