Statistics

More or Less is back today and if you are a sociology teacher or student its well worth listening to. Today’s programme looks at whether energy-efficient lightbulbs are all they are cracked up to be - not directly the turf of sociology, I agree, but hey, sociologists - especially me - do need to try to be numerate. And on that topic - see below for some quick tips about how to check statistical data.

Using Statistical Data

• Check the title and labels carefully – what is the table about?

• Check the units carefully and look for any explanatory notes.

• Identify the sources – more important later on when you start to evaluate material.

• if its a really complex chart or table, use a piece of paper to shade off various bits of data

• ‘Eyeball’ the data.

• What appear to be the main patterns? e.g. is it all going up or down, or is it pretty featureless, flat?

• Are there any exceptions or ‘outliers’?

• Sum up the trend in words