16th Oct 2023

This report leverages Cohen’s d, a powerful statistical tool for measuring effect sizes, to enhance the analysis of the police shootings dataset. Cohen’s d proves invaluable in quantifying the practical significance of various factors in the context of lethal force incidents involving law enforcement officers. It goes beyond statistical significance to offer a tangible understanding of these factors’ real-world implications, allowing for a nuanced examination of demographics, armed status, mental health, threat levels, body camera usage, and geographic factors in relation to the likelihood of these incidents.

By employing Cohen’s d, we can quantitatively assess the magnitude of differences between groups or conditions in the dataset, moving beyond simplistic binary comparisons to comprehend the intricate dynamics at play. This approach sheds light on the influence of demographics, such as age, gender, and race, on the occurrence of lethal force incidents, revealing potential disparities and their practical relevance. Ultimately, it provides a holistic perspective and aids in identifying meaningful patterns and significant variables that impact these incidents, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the complex factors shaping the occurrence of lethal force incidents involving law enforcement officers.