What are the uses and abuses of Statics in the real world.

These are just a few examples of the many practical uses of statistics
 Poll results are used to determine the television shows we watch and the products we
purchase.
 Manufacturers provide better products at lower costs by using statistical control tools, such
as control charts.
 Diseases are controlled through analyses designed to anticipate epidemics.
 Endangered species of fish and other wildlife are protected through regulations and laws that
react to statistical estimates of changing population sizes
 Through statistical analysis of fatality rates, legislators can better justify laws, such as those
governing air pollution, auto inspections, seat belt and air bag use, and drunk driving.

Some people will use statistics in which the data are presented in ways that are designed to be
misleading.Some abuses are not intentional, but some are!

1) Bad samples
 A major source of deceptive statistics is the use of inappropriate methods to collect
data.
 Self-selected survey – (voluntary response sample) is one in which the respondents
themselves decide whether to be included
 In such surveys, people with strong opinions are more likely to participate, so the
obtained responses are not necessarily representative of the whole population.
2) Small Samples
It can be very misleading to make broad conclusions or inferences based on samples that
are far too small

Example: Children’s Defense Fund’s publication of Children Out of School in America

reported that among secondary school students suspended in one region, 67% were
suspended at least three times. That statistic was based off of only three students, and the
media reports failed to mention that!

3) Loaded Questions
Survey questions can be worded to elicit a desired response.A “loaded” item uses
emotionally charged words – words that have a strong negative or positive.

Example: The University of Pittsburgh should stop wasting student activities funds on elitist
organizations such as fraternities and sororities.
A. strongly agree
B. agree
C. Neutral
D. disagree
E. strongly disagree

This is a loaded item because of the use of the phrases “wasting funds” and “elitist
organizations.” It would be improved by making the wording more neutral.
 4) Misleading Graphs
Many visual graphs (especially bar charts and pie charts) exaggerate or hide the true
meaning of the data. Using different increments or not following the Area Principle is a key
way to exaggerate, so be careful when reading charts!

5) Pictographs

Using pictures and three-dimensional objects as bars in histograms and bar charts can be
misleading and, again, not follow the Area Principle.

6) Precise Numbers

Being precise is not always accurate. Saying there are 203,144,036 vehicles in the
Southeast region. Since this number is an estimate, it would be better to say about 203
million.

7.) Distorted Percentages

Be careful with interpretation of percentages:

An ad from Continental Airlines referring to lost baggage; “… an area where we’ve already
improved 100% in the last six months.”

The New York Times took this to mean there is no lost baggage, which has never been
achieved by Continental Airlines.

8.) Partial Pictures

“Ninety percent of all our cars sold in this country in the last 10 years are still on the road.”

Consumers were impressed; however, the dealer failed to mention that 90% of the cars that
the dealer sold were in the last 3 years.

9) Deliberate Distortions

Be careful to accurately interpret survey results. Hertz sued Avis because Avis said they
were the winner of the survey among car rental companies. When Hertz requested the actual
survey results, the responses disappeared and the magazine coordinator who published the
survey result statement resigned.