Stat-spotting : a field guide to identifying dubious data /
Best, Joel.
Berkeley, Calif. ; London : University of California Press,
c2008.
Includes bibliographical references (p. 119-129) and index.
Getting started -- Spotting questionable numbers -- Background -- Statistical benchmarks -- Severity and frequency -- Varieties of dubious data -- Blunders -- The slippery decimal point -- Botched translations -- Misleading graphs -- Careless calculations -- Sources: who counted--and why? -- Big round numbers -- Hyperbole -- Shocking claims -- Naming the problem -- Definitions: what did they count? -- Broad definitions -- Expanding definitions -- Changing definitions -- The uncounted -- Measurements: how did they count? -- Creating measures -- Odd units of analysis -- Loaded questions -- Raising the bar -- Technical measures -- Packaging: what are they telling us? -- Impressive formats -- Misleading samples -- Convenient time frames -- Peculiar percentages -- Selective comparisons -- Statistical milestones -- Averages -- Epidemics -- Correlations -- Discoveries -- Debates: what if they disagree? -- Causality debates -- Equality debates -- Policy debates -- Stat-spotting on your own -- Summary: common signs of dubious data -- Better data: some characteristics -- Afterword: if you had no idea things were that bad, they probably aren't -- Suggestions for those who want to continue stat-spotting.
Sociology
Social problems