Statistics & Demographics
How to Evaluate Statistical Data
Whenever you are working with statistics, be mindful of the underlying data:
- Who gathered the data? Why are they gathering it?
- How did they collect the data? Was the data self-reported?
- What questions were asked? Did they including leading questions?
- What is the sample size? Is it large enough to be significant?
- Who is reporting the data? Why?
Learn more about thinking critically about statistics:
- Mona Chalabi: 3 Ways to Spot a Bad Statistic: TED talk
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The Cartoon Introduction to Statistics
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The Cartoon Introduction to Statistics is the most imaginative and accessible introductory statistics course you'll ever take. Employing an irresistible cast of dragon-riding Vikings, lizard-throwing giants, and feuding aliens, the renowned illustrator Grady Klein and the award-winning statistician Alan Dabney teach you how to collect reliable data, make confident statements based on limited information, and judge the usefulness of polls and the other numbers that you're bombarded with every day. If you want to go beyond the basics, they've created the ultimate resource: "The Math Cave," where they reveal the more advanced formulas and concepts. Timely, authoritative, and hilarious, The Cartoon Introduction to Statistics is an essential guide for anyone who wants to better navigate our data-driven world.
Call Number: QA276 K544 2013ISBN: 9780809033669Publication Date: 2013-07-02 -
No BS (Bad Stats)
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What if everything you thought you knew about Black people generally, and educating Black children specifically, was based on BS (bad stats)? Ivory A. Toldson uses data analysis, anecdotes, and powerful commentary to dispel common myths and challenge conventional beliefs about educating Black children. With provocative, engaging, and at times humorous prose, Toldson teaches educators, parents, advocates, and students how to avoid BS, raise expectations, and create an educational agenda for Black children that is based on good data, thoughtful analysis, and compassion. No BS helps people understand why Black people need people who believe in Black people enough not to believe every bad thing they hear about Black people.
Call Number: E-BookISBN: 9789004397040Publication Date: 2019-02-01
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Data Literacy
Research guide about statistics and information literacy created by MLIS students at Pratt -
Correlation Does Not Imply CausationIntroduction to correlation vs. causation when evaluating statistics
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Polling methods are changing, but reporting the views of Asian Americans remains a challengePew Research Center report by Courtney Kennedy and Neil G. Ruiz, July 1, 2020
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The Problem with Statistics... TikTok collaboration by wordy.talk and alex.on.keys about the dangers of over-reporting and under-sampling
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