Statistical Deception at Work

John Mauro

ISBN 10: 0805812326 / ISBN 13: 9780805812329

Published by Taylor & Francis Inc Jul 1992, 1992

About this Item

Neuware - Written to reveal statistical deceptions often thrust upon unsuspecting journalists, this book views the use of numbers from a public perspective. Illustrating how the statistical naivete of journalists often nourishes quantitative misinformation, the author's intent is to make journalists more critical appraisers of numerical data so that in reporting them they do not deceive the public. The book frequently uses actual reported examples of misused statistical data reported by mass media and describes how journalists can avoid being taken in by them. Because reports of survey findings seldom give sufficient detail of methods on the actual questions asked, this book elaborates on questions reporters should ask about methodology and how to detect biased questions before reporting the findings to the public. As such, it may be looked upon as an elements of style for reporting statistics.

Seller Inventory # 9780805812329

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Statistical Deception at Work
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis Inc Jul 1992
• Publication Date: 1992
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0805812326
• ISBN 13: 9780805812329
• Binding: Buch
• Condition: Neu
• Dimensions: 198W x 129H x 0D millimeters 198 millimeters width by 129 millimeters height by 0 millimeters depth
• Weight: 400 grams

About this title

Synopsis

Written to reveal statistical deceptions often thrust upon unsuspecting journalists, this book views the use of numbers from a public perspective. Illustrating how the statistical naivete of journalists often nourishes quantitative misinformation, the author's intent is to make journalists more critical appraisers of numerical data so that in reporting them they do not deceive the public. The book frequently uses actual reported examples of misused statistical data reported by mass media and describes how journalists can avoid being taken in by them. Because reports of survey findings seldom give sufficient detail of methods on the actual questions asked, this book elaborates on questions reporters should ask about methodology and how to detect biased questions before reporting the findings to the public. As such, it may be looked upon as an "elements of style" for reporting statistics.

About the Author

John Mauro