Misuse of Statistics

• PLEASE READ THIS SECTION
• When approaching statistical information
  • How was the sample performed? Was it valid?
  • Was the sample of sufficient size?
  • Is the statement ambiguous
• Ambiguity arises in many places
  • The word average has many meanings.
  • The work biggest/largest/smallest can be confusing
  • Germs - meaningless
• Be careful of misleading statements.
• Be careful of graphs
  • a doubling in size does not lead to a doubling in area or volume.
  • Watch the axis
  • circle graphs should total to 100%