Lauren Samuels, Ashley Mullan, Danni Shi, Seth Young, and Ningkun Zhou (Vanderbilt University)
Abstract
“Regression Modeling Strategies”, a second-year graduate-level elective based on Frank Harrell's 2015 textbook by the same name, teaches the craft of statistics using a series of hands-on case studies that illustrate analysis principles and techniques in real-world datasets. Can course participants experience joy and discovery in these case studies knowing that some people, both within and outside of our profession, believe that generative AI tools could easily conduct these analyses for us? We're doing some experiments and explorations in Spring 2026 to find out. For each case study, we will first conduct the analysis independently and then ask a generative AI tool to conduct the analysis for us. We'll evaluate the tool's work and use our findings to modify the instructions we give the tool for the next case study. Will this approach help us feel the joy of discovery? We'll let you know!