Question

Research and select an article of your choice.

Your selected article must contain statistical data that the author uses in support of their argument/point of view. I recommend you find an article from the Internet (not databases), since it would be ideal to find an article with deceptive statistics. Your article must be cited in your paper, and you must include a link to the article.

Write: A clear, thoughtful, and well-written 500-word minimum paper documenting the following categories. Label each one (with what is in bold):
1. Include and LABEL the issue (written as a question), conclusion,
and reasons of the author's argument.
2. Your evaluation of the statistical data and your determination of its
usefulness (or lack of usefulness) in supporting the author's
reasoning structure.,
3. Comment specifically on whether you have identified any deception
or manipulation of the statistics.
4. What other statistics/data do you believe is necessary to support the author's reasoning structure?
5. Overall, what is the quality of the author's argument?

Answer 1

1. Current US Unemployment Rate Statistics and News (Website: thebalance.com)

During this year due to the novel corona virus spread and this entire pandemic situation, in April the unemployment rate was 14.7% with the number being 17.75 million. There was a slight reduction in the same in the month of June where it became 11.1%.

The major reason for this increase was the laying off of the employees due to the pandemic situation as the Government ordered many of the nonessential business entities to close so as to control the spread of the virus. And later when the government gave the permission, every nonessential entity also started to function where the unemployment rate also fell. All the employers were ready to employ these people back in job once they were open and started business.

It was also told that after the period of Great Depression, this was the first time that the economy saw a drastic rise in the unemployment rate in the country.

But there were also people who actually were not looking for any job voluntarily but were ready to accept the job if offered and this people were not actually counted while taking the rate of unemployment.

And the author later concludes that the employment rates are a lagging indicator as it is telling us the past data and not the current data. This is because each and every time something happens it takes time to conduct the survey analyze the result and form the statistics using the same. And also provided a chart which was showing the unemployment since 2014 which apparently shows that the unemployment rate has risen as a result of the pandemic and when compared to 2014, there was a drop in the rates in 2019.

2. My evaluation of the statistical data would be that the above given data are true as we have seen around how the pandemic has actually affected the whole world despite of the government and authorities trying to stop the community spread and save the lives. This proved that it is not an easy task. But one of the major problems that I noticed or I would like to put forth is that, with this unemployment rate the people who actually are employed but not getting or receiving even a basic payment are not addressed.

This part of the population actually requires to be addressed and the same cannot be obtained with the unemployment rate. So there should be a survey or study to acquire the details of the same bring done as this is a new trend which resulted due to the pandemic situation.

3. I have not found any deception or manipulation of the statistics as it was Bureau of Labor Statistics have provided the reports and being the research arm of the Labor Department, the statistical data derived from their study can be trusted and has been trusted till now.

4. As stipulated in point ‘2’, I would also require the author to look into the study regarding the people who are not receiving any salary or payment for the work done and also those people who are engaged in small online jobs. It is seen widely that these people are actually counted as unemployed but at the same time are earning through various online platforms.

5. Overall the quality of author’s argument is good and holds clarity as proper statistical data and chart has been provided. The fact that the author has depended on trustable sources and has put forth sensible points makes the article more worthy and reliable.