Machine learning algorithms are becoming ubiquitous in modern life. When used to help inform human decision making, they have been criticized by some for insufficient accuracy, an absence of transparency, and unfairness. Many of these concerns can be legitimate, although they are less convincing...

The recent literature on-log-linear models incorrectly implies that the Iterative Proportional Fitting (IPF) algorithm and associated computer programs such as ECTA can only be used to estimate hierarchical (not nonhierarchical) log-linear models. While ECTA and similar programs are designed for...