Michigan State University Extension
Diversity and Pluralism - 02140140
12/95/

ERIC TITLE NUMBER: ED311057 AUTHOR: Jaffe, A. J.; Spirer, Herbert F.


TITLE: Misused Statistics: Straight Talk for Twisted
Numbers.

YEAR PUBLISHED: 1987
NOTE: 237 p.
AVAILABILITY: Marcel Dekker, Inc., 270 Madison Ave., New
York, NY 10016 ($32.75).

ABSTRACT: Numerous misuses of statistics are described and
illustrated, and ways of recognizing and avoiding such
misuse are discussed. The following five categories of
statistical misuse are identified: a lack of knowledge of
the subject matter, the quality of the basic data, the
preparation of the study and the report, the statistical
methodology, and a deliberate suppression of data. Topics
addressed include non-statistical knowledge concerning the
subjects of statistical analysis, definitional issues, basic
data quality, graphics and presentation, methodology, faulty
interpretation, data acquisition and analysis for surveys
and polls, affirmative action and discrimination, use of the
simplest appropriate procedures available, uses of estimates
and sources, and governmental uses of statistics. A brief
explanation of the concept of life tables is appended. (TJH)


KEY DESCRIPTORS: Methods-Research; Quality-Control; Research
Problems
KEY DESCRIPTORS: *Data-Interpretation; *Research
Utilization; *Statistical-Analysis

This is an ERIC database document. ERIC is the National
Education Information Network for providing ready access
to the literature of education -descriptions of exemplary
programs, research and development efforts, and related
information that can be used in developing more effective
educational programs. The ERIC database is currently
available on CD-ROM in the main library (ground floor of
the west wing) at Michigan State University. To locate
ERIC documents in the library identify the first line of
each record (i.e., the field ERIC TITLE NUMBER). ED
following ERIC TITLE NUMBER indicates an ERIC document,
an unpublished research study. Most of these items are
available in the Microforms library, located on the 3rd
floor of the west wing. All you need is the six digit ED
number. If EJ follows ERIC TITLE NUMBER the item is a
journal article. The complete journal name is listed after
the code JOURNAL.


Go To Top of File        Michigan State University Extension Home Page        Main Page for this Data Base        ERIC Home Page
This information is for educational purposes only. References to commercial products or trade names does not imply endorsement by MSU Extension or bias against those not mentioned. This information becomes public property upon publication and may be printed verbatim with credit to MSU Extension. Reprinting cannot be used to endorse or advertise a commercial product or company. This file was generated from data base DP on 06/25/02. Data base DP was last revised on 12/95/ . For more information about this data base or its contents please contact cook@msue.msu.edu . Please read our disclaimer for important information about using our site.