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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

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

11. 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

12. Contacts and Hours Location Mailing address, telephone, fax
address of service
Hours of operation
Web address
ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria

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

14. 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

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

21. 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

22. 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

23. 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

24. Triumphs and Disasters
Sharing Experiences
Triumphs and Disasters
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25. Success stories What worked for you? Recovery strategies
Sharing Experiences
Success stories
What worked for you?
Recovery strategies
ACCOLEDS, December 2002 University of Victoria