“Interpreting Statistics”
Individual Assignment
Assignment Description
As the fancy-socked gentleman above can probably attest, not all statistics are “good statistics,” and not all statistics are helpful to us in interpreting the world around us. This assignment is your opportunity to showcase your literacy as young statisticians. Here’s what you’ll do:
Step 1: Select a statistic that you’ve come across in the news, that strikes you as suspect. Maybe you’re wondering how they came to report the information or how they came to report it with such confidence. Maybe you have questions about reliability and validity. Perhaps the number just seems off to your intuition.
Step 2: Interrogate the source as much as possible. Where is the information coming from, how was it calculated and how were those calculations reported or not reported? Compile all the information you can about where the information originated, and how your source got hold of it.
Step 3: Evaluate the legitimacy (is the statistic “correct”), authenticity (is the statistic reported responsibly), and efficacy (does the statistic help the audience understand what the author is discussing) of the stat.
Step 4: Research the topic being addressed by the statistic, and identify at least 3 peer reviewed studies that report similar, or relevant data that either supports or gives us cause to question your statistic.
Step 5: Present your evaluation of the statistic to the class in an audio-visually engaging way! You have two formatting options:
A 2 min video appeal, filmed on your computer or phone. Imagine you are addressing a boardroom of colleagues planning to implement your statistic in their business, campaign, or organization. The planned changes (based on your statistic of choice) are dramatic and expensive, and it’s your job to convince the room whether to move forward with the changes or not, based on your evaluation.
A 1 page visually-compelling handout. Imagine you are circulating this resource to a boardroom of colleagues planning to implement your statistic in their business, campaign, or organization. The planned changes (based on your statistic of choice) are dramatic and expensive, and it’s your job to convince the room whether to move forward with the changes or not, based on your evaluation, with a brief, visually-appealing memo.
Rubric: (20 point assignment)
Description and interrogation of the statistic’s source (5 points)
Evaluation and description of statistic’s legitimacy, authenticity, and efficacy (5 points)
Description and interpretation of relevant, peer reviewed research (5 points)
Presentation of analysis, clarity and effectiveness of audiovisual presentation (5 points)
5 Exceptionally well done. Thoughtful, direct, and fully-considered.
4 Well done. Adheres to guidelines, no major weaknesses.
3 Acceptable. Follows guidelines, but is not particularly clear or well-articulated. Analytical errors may have been made. Language may be at times unclear or difficult to follow.
2 Unacceptable. An attempt was made, but students were unable to follow directions and did not complete all elements of this component of the assignment
1 Failure. Students failed to attempt this component of the assignment