The role statistics have in our society:

In my opinion, statistics play a very important role in our society. We use statistics to collect information, to analyse, and to present our findings. As a society we rely on statistics whether it’s for forecasts, studies, businesses, etc. We use statistics daily to find out the average of something such as with using polls; or even we use reviews and an average rating; as well as companies gather up statistics and information about our society to make a conclusion about products and if their company would benefit from something or not; there are a lot more examples of how we use statistics or how statistics can be used against us without us even knowing it. They are powerful calculations of knowledge either to help us, to benefit from it, or to destroy us.  And in the end, we still go back to this form of mathematics to help us learn about it and to make sure we understand the positives from the negatives.

New things learned from the article: 

http://www.truthpizza.org/logic/stats.htm 

After reading this article, it opened up my eyes to new information such as: We use statistics everywhere except, it depends on the amount of information and circumstances we have to know how accurate something can be. We’re able to create our own statistics except, will they be biased? Or unreliable since we don’t know/have all the numbers? Or even can we make judgments if we aren’t able to see the big picture and/or see all the problems/ situations at hand? Therefore, with statistics we can see the big picture, have examples, as well as we always have to opportunity to conclude with our own opinions even if they the numbers and fats aren’t there to back it up. From statistics we can usually get an overall view/perspective of something which can benefit us with more knowledge, perhaps safety, and just general a new outlook on life.

Different problems with statistics:

Faulty statistics: These statistics can be faulty because they can be made up or incorrect since statistics need specific numbers and/or a specific form of language to show authority or reliability.  (86% of statistics are made up on the spot, you know – the remaining 24% are mathematically flawed. – from an internet message board.)

Bad sampling: We can create statistics by taking samples from groups of people except, there are problems with this because we don’t know their characteristics, opinions, and there are always limitations. There is luck, being bias, (response bias) and probability involved to creating big statistics with small groups.

Unfair poll questions: A big problem with this is that polls can be created to have a specific outcome with an answer, opinion, etc. As well as polls can be rigged, designed specifically, and their reliability is always a question at hand.

Statistics that are true but misleading: Statistics can be technically accurate with reliable facts except they can be misleading because you might not know the whole story. To make statistics you choose what numbers and/if you want to dramatize the data so you won’t be able to know the truth behind those statistics.

Ranking statistics: These statistics are based upon comparisons and unspecified quantities, and with this we aren’t always told the numbers, if it was categorized correctly, or if there are other circumstances to why the rank is so high or low.

Qualifiers on statistics: This means that when creating statistics, we can use ‘qualifiers’ that allows us to be able to state the statistic this way. In a way with these you are manipulating the language to get a specific response, this can also mislead you since it is true but only if it has particular things.

Percentages: When statistics are being used they can be presented as percentages, when using percentages, it can make a statistic sound more dramatic than just a plain number. We don’t have the exact values and as a society when using percentages, it can make numbers seem larger than the exact value as well as making numbers seem smaller than the specified number.