Passing along thanks to DU from a statistics instructor ...

[Lisa]

Another recent PhD grad was recently hired to teach the introductory statistics course at my college. I suggested that he do a "statistical abuse of the day" bit in his lectures, critiquing a recent news story that either makes a mistake in collecting or interpreting statistics, or is deliberately misusing them for propaganda purposes.

For starters, I gave him a bunch of stuff that's been pointed out by DUers over the past month or so, such as the assertion by one pundit that "US troops are safer in Iraq than in California" -- and of course the EPA non-warnings about the WTC.

Wow!! The kids went absolutely wild, and demanded more. My friend charged into my office and exclaimed: "This is going to be the coolest course I've ever taught!" Next week: biased sampling and election polls (e.g. why Zogby got a different result than the other companies in 2000).

So, thanks everyone. I told my friend that I wouldn't have thought of doing this if it hadn't been for all you guys, and he wanted me to thank you for keeping up such stimulating discussion.

My own course is introductory geography, and I started out talking about propaganda maps -- using the CNN war maps and the way in which they try to give an impression of bloodless US victories -- then contrast them with the maps provided by Canadian and British news organizations. And I used the election cartograms vs. the "Bush Country" map as a prime example of why it's misleading to imply land area is the same thing as population, or wealth, or other factors.

[tkulesa]

1. Everyone should know basic statistics

Anything that gives statistics some understandable context and makes them interesting is a great thing.

Good job! :)

[On the Road]

2. Good News! Get Him to Log on to DU!

He will be welcomed. And thanks for sharing.

[sangha]

3. Well done!

You've taken it wholesale. You're a genius!

[KCDem]

4. wonderful!

These college students deserve to know that they're being lied to... or, not necessarily lied to, but how data is manipulated.

Good for you and for your friend!