accoleds, december 2002 university of victoria spreading the data gospel: statistical literacy 101...

ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Spreading the Data Spreading the Data Gospel:Gospel:

Statistical Literacy 101

Wendy WatkinsCarleton University


ObjectivesObjectives To develop effective strategies to

increase: statistical literacy data use

To share ideas about data outreach

To develop a library of tools for use in class presentations and hands-on sessions


OutlineOutline

Spreading the Data Gospel Developing general and theme-based

presentations Statistical Literacy

Tailoring exercises for specific audiences

Hands-on session


Why Spread the Data Why Spread the Data Gospel?Gospel?

Increase awareness of data resources

Answer frequently asked questions before visits

Optimize the use of resources Encourage numeracy and the use

of numeric evidence in arguments


Ways to Spread the Ways to Spread the GospelGospel

In-class presentations Workshops Newsletters Web-based publicity University lists University communications Handouts


Gospel Chapters:Gospel Chapters:Parts of a Generic Parts of a Generic

PresentationPresentation Data Sources

Immediate collection Other sources

Web links Services Contacts and hours


Data SourcesData Sources Immediate collection

DLI DMTI (if you are a member) ICPSR (if you are a member) On-line numeric databases Other local, provincial, national and

foreign sources


Data Sources (cont’d)Data Sources (cont’d) What you can obtain from others (for

free!) Public Opinion

Gallup, POLLARA - Carleton Angus Reid - UBC Canadian Information Office - Nat Stone

Canadian Election Studies - ISR at York ISSP - Carleton All Alberta surveys (UofA) Heart-health data


Data Sources (cont’d)Data Sources (cont’d) Data you can obtain (for a fee)

United Nations OECD Financial and stock data bases ????


Web linksWeb links

Your datacentre Other Canadian datacentres Foreign data archives Best overall source:

Craig McKie: Research Resources for the Social Sciences: Data Archives

www.socsciresearch.com/r6.html


ServicesServices Data services

Straight pass-through on request? Assisted searching for sources? Subsetting? Statistical formats? Consulting?

Data and/or statistics? Research methods? Commercial clientelle?


Contacts and HoursContacts and Hours

Location Mailing address, telephone, fax E-mail address of service Hours of operation Web address


Statistics and DataStatistics and Data

Data• numeric files created

and organized for

Statistics


Statistical LiteracyStatistical Literacy

“The ability to look at and understand basic statistics critically ... critical thinking about arguments that use statistics as evidence.”

Milo Schield


Statistical Literacy 101Statistical Literacy 101

Statistics before data? Whatever was she thinking?


Why Statistics before Why Statistics before Data?Data?

Many groups are number shy Not ready for data Can intuitively understand numeric

arguments If they can be comfortable here,

they’ll run out of ‘canned’ answers, and …

… lead themselves to the data


Our RoleOur Role

Promotion, not instruction Introduction to the use of

numerical/statistical evidence Give simple examples:

Height and weight are related Heavier people tend to be taller If I gain weight, can I expect to grow

in height?


Another ExampleAnother Example

Two hunters and a bear Bear can run twice as fast as

hunters Innumerate hunter:

“ We’re cooked” Numerate hunter:

“Not if I can outrun you!”


Find Data GemsFind Data Gems

GSS - Time Use Which group has LEAST leisure time?

Draw out the answers Gender - female Family status - single parent, small

kids Which group has MOST leisure time?

???????


Context, Context, Context, Context, ContextContext

Developing statistical literacy depends, at first, on intuitive understanding, NOT statistical expertise

Use examples and exercises geared to the class Nurses Investigative journalism


Tips for Creating Tips for Creating ExercisesExercises

KISS rules! Need to ensure success for all

Choose easily-manipulated databases CANSIM, E-STAT Community Profiles Pared-down B20/20 tables

Ask questions requiring analysis Make them think!!!!!


In other words …..In other words …..

Ask leading questions Give provocative explanations for

ordinary findings Suggest the impossible Promote the improbable Encourage dissent!


What to Expect from What to Expect from ClassesClasses

Undergraduates Need to coax participation Data dentistry

Graduates Have a lot of questions Eager, eager, eager Encourage a range of opinion with

explanations


Sharing ExperiencesSharing Experiences

Triumphs and Disasters


Sharing ExperiencesSharing Experiences

Success stories What worked for you?

Recovery strategies What worked for you?

accoleds, december 2002 university of victoria spreading the data gospel: statistical literacy 101...

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