Question

Find two examples of current (within last five years) graphical misrepresentations of data.

Answer 1

Misleading statistics area unit merely the misusage – purposeful or not – of a numerical knowledge. The results offer a dishonest data to the receiver, WHO then believes one thing wrong if he or she doesn't notice the error or the doesn't have the complete knowledge image.
Given the importance of knowledge in today’s speedily evolving digital world, it's necessary to be at home with the fundamentals of dishonest statistics and oversight. As AN exercise in due diligence, we are going to review a number of the foremost common styles of misuse of statistics, and numerous sinister (and sadly, common) dishonest statistics examples from public life.

Misleading information image
Insightful graphs and charts embody terribly basic, however essential, grouping of components. regardless of the kinds of information image you decide on to use, it should convey:

– The scales used
– The beginning price (zero or otherwise)
– the strategy of calculation (e.g., dataset and time period)

Absent these components, visual information representations ought to be viewed with a grain of salt, taking into consideration the common information image mistakes one will create. Intermediate information points ought to even be known and context given if it'd add price to the knowledge bestowed. With the increasing reliance on intelligent resolution automation for variable information comparisons, best practices (i.e., style and scaling) ought to be enforced before examination information from totally different sources, datasets, times and locations.

Examples:

Misleading Statistics Examples In Real Life

Now that we have reviewed several of the most commons methods of data misuse, let’s look at various digital age examples of misleading statistics across three distinct, but related, spectrums: media and politics, advertising and science. While certain topics listed here are likely to stir emotion depending on one’s point of view, their inclusion is for data demonstration purposes only.

• Examples of misleading statistics in the media and politics

Misleading statistics in the media are quite common. On Sept. 29, 2015, Republicans from the U.S. Congress questioned Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood, regarding the misappropriation of $500 million in annual federal funding. The above graph/chart was presented as a point of emphasis.

Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah explained: “In pink, that’s the reduction in the breast exams, and the red is the increase in the abortions. That’s what’s going on in your organization.

Misuse of Statistics – A Summary

To the question “can statistics be manipulated?”, we can address 6 methods often used – on purpose or not – that skew the analysis and the results. Here are common types of misuse of statistics:

• Faulty polling
• Flawed correlations
• Data fishing
• Misleading data visualization
• Purposeful and selective bias
• Using percentage change in combination with a small sample size