(Disrupting) Continuities between Eugenics and Statistics: A Critical Study of Regression Analysis

This paper critically examines the intertwined history of statistics and eugenics through the work of Francis Galton, whose statistical inventions were guided by his problematic belief in eugenics. The paper highlights the historical development of regression analysis, arguing that acknowledging the discriminatory origins of this method is crucial for understanding historical and contemporary injustices in data-driven decision-making. The paper also considers the ethical implications of other statistical techniques, emphasizing the need for library and information science (LIS) students and practitioners to be aware of the societal implications of “objective” data analysis methods.