Ways to spot bad statistics.

2. What Is Bad Statistics?
A statistical error (or disturbance) is the amount by which an
observation differs from its expected value, the latter being based on
the whole population from which the statistical unit was chosen
randomly.

3. Often times, a statistic is like a piece of candy thrown at a parade—you
really don't know if you should bite into it or not.

4. So how can you really discern good
stats from bad?
Statistics are effective at moving people toward action, but it can
border on manipulation, depending on how you use or change the
numbers and information. Using unverified statistics can be an
example.

5. What is uncertainty?
Random or Statistical Uncertainties. Random or statistical
uncertainties arise from random fluctuations in a measurement.
These random fluctuations can occur in measuring devices. For
example, electronic noise and air currents lead to a rapid but
small fluctuation in motion detector readings.

6. Uncertainty has been called "an unintelligible expression
without a straightforward description".

7. The lack of certainty, a state of limited knowledge where it is
impossible to exactly describe the existing state, a future outcome, or
more than one possible outcome.

9. Uncertainty in science
Uncertainty in science, and science in general, may be interpreted
differently in the public sphere than in the scientific community.This is
due in part to the diversity of the public audience, and the tendency for
scientists to misunderstand lay audiences and therefore not
communicate ideas clearly and effectively.

11. How was the data collected?
Data collection is the process of gathering and measuring information
on targeted variables in an established systematic fashion, which then
enables one to answer relevant questions and evaluate outcomes.

12. How Is data collected in
research?
There are a variety of methods of data collection in qualitative
research, including observations, textual or visual analysis (eg from
books or videos) and interviews (individual or group). However, the
most common methods used, particularly in healthcare research, are
interviews and focus groups.

13. The main methods for collecting qualitative data are:
Individual interviews.
Focus groups.
Observations.
Action Research.