Statistics provide valuable insights and inform decision-making

across various domains, it is essential to use them responsibly

and be aware of potential biases and misinterpretations that can
lead to abuses of statistical methods. Critical thinking and
transparency are crucial in ensuring the ethical and accurate use
of statistical information.

Uses of Statistics:
Medical Research:
 Statistical methods are employed to analyze clinical trial data to
determine the efficacy and safety of new drugs. This helps in
making informed decisions about the approval and use of
medications.
Evidence: The FDA, for example, relies on statistical analyses to assess
the outcomes of clinical trials before approving new drugs.

Economics:
 Governments and financial institutions use statistical indicators
such as GDP, inflation rates, and unemployment rates to make
economic policies and decisions.
Evidence: Reports from organizations like the Bureau of Economic
Analysis (BEA) provide statistical data used by policymakers to guide
economic strategies.

Education:
  Educational institutions use statistics to evaluate the effectiveness
of teaching methods, analyze test scores, and identify areas that
need improvement.
Evidence: Research studies in education often employ statistical
analyses to assess the impact of interventions on student performance.

Abuses of Statistics:
Data Manipulation:
 Cherry-picking or selectively presenting data to support a
particular point of view, even if it misrepresents the overall picture.
Evidence: In 2015, Volkswagen was found to have manipulated
emissions data in their cars, misleading regulators and the public.
Misleading Visualizations:
 Presenting data in a way that distorts the interpretation, such as
using inappropriate scales or omitting key information.
Evidence: A famous example is the "hockey stick graph" in climate
change discussions, where the visual representation exaggerated the
recent rise in global temperatures.

Statistical Discrimination:
 Using statistics to unfairly discriminate against certain groups
based on characteristics such as race, gender, or socioeconomic
status.
Evidence: Instances of biased algorithms in hiring processes or lending
decisions have been reported, leading to discriminatory outcomes.