Spreading the Data Gospel: Statistical Literacy 101 Wendy Watkins Carleton University ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Objectives To develop effective strategies to increase: statistical literacy data use To share ideas about data outreach To develop a library of tools for use in class presentations and hands-on sessions ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Outline Spreading the Data Gospel Statistical Literacy Developing general and theme-based presentations Statistical Literacy Tailoring exercises for specific audiences Hands-on session ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Why Spread the Data Gospel? Increase awareness of data resources Answer frequently asked questions before visits Optimize the use of resources Encourage numeracy and the use of numeric evidence in arguments ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Ways to Spread the Gospel In-class presentations Workshops Newsletters Web-based publicity University lists University communications Handouts ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Gospel Chapters: Parts of a Generic Presentation Data Sources Immediate collection Other sources Web links Services Contacts and hours ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Data Sources Immediate collection DLI DMTI (if you are a member) ICPSR (if you are a member) On-line numeric databases Other local, provincial, national and foreign sources ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Data Sources (cont’d) What you can obtain from others (for free!) Public Opinion Gallup, POLLARA - Carleton Angus Reid - UBC Canadian Information Office - Nat Stone Canadian Election Studies - ISR at York ISSP - Carleton All Alberta surveys (UofA) Heart-health data ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Data Sources (cont’d) Data you can obtain (for a fee) United Nations OECD Financial and stock data bases ???? ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Web links Your datacentre Other Canadian datacentres Foreign data archives Best overall source: Craig McKie: Research Resources for the Social Sciences: Data Archives www.socsciresearch.com/r6.html ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Services Data services Straight pass-through on request? Assisted searching for sources? Subsetting? Statistical formats? Consulting? Data and/or statistics? Research methods? Commercial clientelle? ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Contacts and Hours Location Mailing address, telephone, fax E-mail address of service Hours of operation Web address ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Statistics and Data Data numeric files created and organized for ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Statistical Literacy “The ability to look at and understand basic statistics critically ... critical thinking about arguments that use statistics as evidence.” Milo Schield ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Statistics before data? Whatever was she thinking? Statistical Literacy 101 Statistics before data? Whatever was she thinking? ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Why Statistics before Data? Many groups are number shy Not ready for data Can intuitively understand numeric arguments If they can be comfortable here, they’ll run out of ‘canned’ answers, and … … lead themselves to the data ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Our Role Promotion, not instruction Introduction to the use of numerical/statistical evidence Give simple examples: Height and weight are related Heavier people tend to be taller If I gain weight, can I expect to grow in height? ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Another Example Two hunters and a bear Bear can run twice as fast as hunters Innumerate hunter: “ We’re cooked” Numerate hunter: “Not if I can outrun you!” ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Find Data Gems GSS - Time Use Which group has LEAST leisure time? Draw out the answers Gender - female Family status - single parent, small kids Which group has MOST leisure time? ??????? ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Context, Context, Context Developing statistical literacy depends, at first, on intuitive understanding, NOT statistical expertise Use examples and exercises geared to the class Nurses Investigative journalism ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Tips for Creating Exercises KISS rules! Need to ensure success for all Choose easily-manipulated databases CANSIM, E-STAT Community Profiles Pared-down B20/20 tables Ask questions requiring analysis Make them think!!!!! ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

In other words ….. Ask leading questions Give provocative explanations for ordinary findings Suggest the impossible Promote the improbable Encourage dissent! ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

What to Expect from Classes Undergraduates Need to coax participation Data dentistry Graduates Have a lot of questions Eager, eager, eager Encourage a range of opinion with explanations ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Triumphs and Disasters Sharing Experiences Triumphs and Disasters ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

Success stories What worked for you? Recovery strategies Sharing Experiences Success stories What worked for you? Recovery strategies ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria