The Limits of Official Statistics

November 11, 2020 | Media and Technology

One part personal reflection, one part literature synthesis. This essay reflects on official statistics, common misunderstandings, and the COVID-19 numbers we're all becoming increasingly familiar with. The author calls on news audiences and journalists alike to become more knowledgeable about what official statistics can and can't do -- and to question the epistemic priority that so many people reflexively give to numbers by paying attention to what is not included.

Associated Projects

The Limits of Official Statistics Meaningful Math: News Media for Increasing Adult Statistical Literacy 2021 STEM for All Video Showcase Video

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Jena Barchas-Lichtenstein

Author

Knology

Citation

Publication Name: Public Anthropologies

Funders

NSF

Funding Program: AISL

Award Number: 1906802

Resource Type: Reference Materials

Discipline: Health and medicine | Mathematics

Audience: General Public | Museum/ISE Professionals | Scientists

Environment Type: Media and Technology | Broadcast Media | Websites, Mobile Apps, and Online Media | Comics, Books, and Newspapers

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