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The Power of Data. Chapter 1.5 – The Media Mathematics of Data Management (Nelson) MDM 4U. There are 3 kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics. Example 1 – Changing the scale on the axis. What do you notice about the following bar graphs?. Example 1 – Scale from 0.
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The Power of Data Chapter 1.5 – The Media Mathematics of Data Management (Nelson) MDM 4U There are 3 kinds of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics.
Example 1 – Changing the scale on the axis • What do you notice about the following bar graphs?
Example 1 – Scale from 0 • Consider that this is a bar graph – could it still be misleading?
Example 2 – Using a Small Sample • What is the smallest possible sample size for the following statements? • “4 out of 5 dentists recommend Trident sugarless gum to their patients who chew gum.” • “In the past, we found errors in 4 out of 5 of the returns people brought infor a Second Lookreview.” (H&R Block) • “Did you know that 1 in 4 women can misread a traditional pregnancy test result?” (Clearblue Easy Digital Pregnancy Test) • “Using Pedigree® DentaStix® daily can reduce the build up of tartar by up to 80%.”
Details on the Trident Survey • How many dentists did they ask? • Actual number: 1200 • 4 out of 5 is convincing but reasonable • 5 out of 5 is preposterous • 3 out of 5 is good but not great • Actual statistic 85% • Recommend Trident over what? • There were 2 other options: • Chewing sugared gum • Not chewing gum
Misleading Statements(?) • How could these statements be misleading? • “More people stay with Bell Mobility than any other provider.” • “Every minute of every hour of every business day, someone comes back to Bell.” • 60 x 60 x 7 x 5 = 126 000
2) How could the data be used to arrive at this conclusion falsely? • Does not specify how many more customers stay with Bell. • e.g. Percentage of customers renewing their plan: Bell: 30% Rogers: 29% Telus: 25% Fido: 28% • Did they compare percentages or totals? • What does it mean to “stay with Bell”? Honour entire contract? Renew contract at the end of a term? • Are early terminations factored in? If so, does Bell have a higher cost for early terminations? • Competitors’ renewal rates may have decreased due to family plans / bundling • Does the data include Private / Corporate plans?
How does the media use (misuse) data? • To inform the public about world events in an objective manner • It sometimes gives misleading or false impressions to sway the public or to increase ratings • It is important to: • Study statistics to understand how information is represented or misrepresented • Correctly interpret tables/charts presented by the media
MSIP / Homework • Read pp. 57 – 60 Ex. 1-2 • p. 60 #1-6