Day 7 Use and Misuse of Statistics 2019 completed.notebook
1
April 01, 2019
Oct 3112:08 PM
Use and Misuse of Statistics in the Media
Goal:
• interpret statistics presented in the media and explain how the media use and misuse statistics to promote a certain point of view
• assess the validity of conclusions presented in the media by examining sources of data, methods of data collection, and possible sources of bias, and by questioning the analysis of the data and conclusions drawn from the data
Oct 3112:14 PM
What would worry you more: being told that
a disease kills 25 people out of 100,
or that it kills 250 people out of 1000?
"ratio bias". The bigger the number, the riskier the risk appears.
Which sounds worse?
"kills 1286 people out of 10,000"
"kills 24.14 people out of 100"
Which is worse?
Nov 2611:34 AM Nov 2611:35 AM
Nov 2611:42 AM Nov 2611:42 AM
Day 7 Use and Misuse of Statistics 2019 completed.notebook
2
April 01, 2019
Nov 2611:43 AM Nov 2611:43 AM
Nov 2611:44 AM Nov 2611:44 AM
Nov 2611:45 AM Oct 3112:22 PM
Validity of Conclusions
The study asked 8800 people about their health, lifestyle and television watching behaviour, and then followed them over the next six years, during which time 284 of them died.
“TV kills, claim scientists"
a. Was TV the cause of the deaths?
b. Who was studied?
c. How did they choose the population?
d. Were there any other factors in the deaths?
Day 7 Use and Misuse of Statistics 2019 completed.notebook
3
April 01, 2019
Nov 2611:47 AM Nov 2611:49 AM
Nov 2611:49 AM Nov 2611:49 AM
Apr 267:54 AM
Errors in analysis
1. Too little data2. Linear regression ( Line of best fit) on data that is not a linear trend3. Using linear regression when the correlation is weak. 4. Reversing the cause and effect relationship5. Extrapolating outside the range of the data set. 6. Not considering the effects of outliers or influential points.
*** A high correlation for a data set does not always indicate a cause and effect relationship.
Apr 19:45 AM
Topic Source 1 Source 2
Worldwide Ebola infections Facebook posting in your newsfeed
CBC radio news coverage at 6pm.
The benefits or adverse effects of drinking milk A pamphlet from an animal rights group that opposes dairy farming
Canada’s Food Guide produced by Health Canada
How to lose weight A nutrition class hosted by a local registered nutritionist
The link at the bottom of a webpage saying “This new miracle weight loss food will change your life”
Vaccines The World Health Organization publications about vaccinations
A blog from a person who does not vaccinate their children.
You want to buy a new phone Rogers store where your friend works Online reviews from 20 people
Summer Vacation in Florida A travel company that books vacations Relatives who travelled recently
A medication prescribed by your doctor Your doctor and a pamphlet she gives you with the medication
An online website created by someone who has taken the medication
The best car to buy The salesperson at the dealership Your uncle who works as a mechanic
The best credit card Your math teacher a financial representative at your bank
What house to purchase A real estate agent A home inspector
Whether you should start smoking Your best friend Health Canada
Who you should vote for in an election Each candidates platform in their own publications
A Facebook group with members from the community
Data Sources
Attachments
Day 31 circumcenters and orthocenters.gsp
SMART Notebook
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