How does machine learning for prediction differ from traditional statistical methods?
Machine learning and traditional statistics both aim to understand data and make predictions, yet they differ fundamentally in approach and execution. Traditional statistics typically rely on hypothesis testing, p-values, and confidence intervals to make inferences about data. It often involves linear models, like regression analysis, which assume a specific relationship between variables. On the other hand, machine learning encompasses algorithms that learn from data without being explicitly programmed. It's more about prediction than inference, using complex models that can capture non-linear relationships and interactions between variables.