How to Read Numbers: A Guide to Statistics in the News (and Knowing When to Trust Them)

Statistics are a powerful tool for understanding the world, but in the wrong hands, they can be dangerous. HOW TO READ NUMBERS is a guide that will help you understand when and how to trust the numbers in the news and when not to.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 208 pages
Publication date: 31 March 2022
Publisher: Orion Publishing Co

Statistics are a powerful tool for understanding the world, but they can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Every day, most of us will read or watch something in the news that is based on statistics in some way. Sometimes it will be obvious, such as X people developing cancer every year, and other times it will be less obvious, such as how smartphones destroyed a generation.

Journalists often make mistakes when using statistics, and they may deploy tricks to make their numbers more persuasive. In How to Read Numbers, author David A. Freedman explains the common mistakes that journalists make and the tricks they sometimes deploy. He provides a vital guide that will help you understand when and how to trust the numbers in the news, and when not to.

One of the most common mistakes that journalists make is using misleading statistics. This can happen when they cherry-pick data or present statistics out of context. For example, a journalist may report that X% of people who drink water develop cancer, without mentioning that the vast majority of these people also consume other substances that may increase their risk of cancer.

Another mistake that journalists make is using statistics to support a biased or prejudiced view. This can happen when they use statistics to support a political agenda or to promote a particular product or service. For example, a journalist may report that X% of people support a particular political candidate, without mentioning that the sample size was small or that the survey was conducted in a biased manner.

Journalists may also use statistics to exaggerate the importance of a particular issue. This can happen when they use statistics to make a story more sensational or to generate more clicks or views. For example, a journalist may report that X% of people are at risk of dying from a particular disease, without mentioning that the risk is relatively small or that there are many other factors that contribute to disease risk.

To avoid making these mistakes, journalists should take several steps. First, they should ensure that they use reliable sources of data. This can include government agencies, academic studies, and reputable news organizations. Second, they should ensure that they present statistics in a clear and concise manner. This can include using simple language, avoiding technical jargon, and providing context for the statistics. Third, they should avoid using statistics to support a biased or prejudiced view. This can include avoiding using statistics to support a political agenda or to promote a particular product or service. Finally, they should avoid using statistics to exaggerate the importance of a particular issue. This can include avoiding using statistics to make a story more sensational or to generate more clicks or views.

In conclusion, statistics are a powerful tool for understanding the world, but they can be dangerous in the wrong hands. Journalists should take steps
several steps to ensure that they use reliable sources of data, present statistics in a clear and concise manner, avoid using statistics to support a biased or prejudiced view, and avoid using statistics to exaggerate the importance of a particular issue. By following these steps, journalists can help ensure that they provide accurate and reliable information to their readers and viewers.

Weight: 188g
Dimension: 128 x 196 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474619974