LESSON: Uses and Misuses of Statistics

Misleading Statistics in the News

Numbers are being used every day. In the news, in politics, in our jobs, and even in our social interactions. They are used to convince, explain, but also to deflect from what is truly happening. Too often, numbers appear as abstract, objective and difficult.

We've learned quite a bit about surveys, observational studies and experiments. We know what each of these data collection methods require in order to produce accurate results. But these results can be presented in ways to say whatever we want them to say! That's why it's so important that when we hear numbers thrown at us, we interpret and act on them carefully. 

In this video, Dr. Sanne Blauw will explain 5 ways to look out for that statistics can be misrepresented to us.