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Some sessions have been moved to accommodate conflicts. Session numbers were resequenced April 4, 2008. This online program reflects these changes and always includes the most up-to-date information.


Activity Number: 351
Type: Topic Contributed
Date/Time: Wednesday, August 6, 2008 : 8:30 AM to 10:20 AM
Sponsor: Section on Statistical Education
Abstract - #301831
Title: Numbers in the News: A Survey
Author(s): Milo Schield and Robert L. Raymond*+
Companies: W.M. Keck Statistical Literacy Project and University of St Thomas
Address: 800 Grandview Ave W, Roseville, MN, 55113,
Keywords: statistical literacy ; statistical education
Abstract:

This report presents the prevalence of statistical terms and ideas in news stories. This involves (1) a judgment analysis of 160 articles and (2) a computer-match analysis of 899 articles. The judgment analysis of 160 articles involved 73 traits. Of these articles, 27% involve assembly in constructing categories or measures and 62% present associations that imply causation. Using judgment we find 42% influenced by confounding, 17% by assembly, 11% by bias and 9% by random effects. The computer-match of 899 number-based news articles calculated the prevalence of 231 statistical terms. In this set 19% use the word "significant" but only 3% use "statistically significant." Over 90% used comparisons, 74% used percent grammar, 67% used causal grammar, 61% used association grammar, 55% used chance, 32% used rates, 13% used percentage grammar and and 10% used confounding grammar.


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Revised September, 2008