General Note:
This edition updates benchmarks, includes a new chapter on rhetoric, updated a few examples, and thoroughly updated the bibliography.
Bibliography, etc. Note:
Includes bibliographical references (p. 133-144) and index.
Formatted Contents Note:
Spotting questionable numbers -- Background. Statistical benchmarks ; Severity and frequency -- Blunders. The slippery decimal point ; Botched translations ; Misleading graphs ; Careless calculations -- Sources : who counted, and why?. Big round numbers ; Hyperbole ; Shocking claims ; Naming the problem -- Definitions : what did they count?. Broad definitions ; Expanding definitions ; Changing definitions ; The uncounted -- Measurements : how did they count?. Creating measures ; Odd units of analysis ; Loaded questions ; Raising the bar ; Technical measures -- Packaging : what are they telling us?. Impressive formats ; Misleading samples ; Convenient time frames ; Peculiar percentages ; Selective comparisons ; Statistical milestones ; Averages ; Epidemics ; Correlations ; Discoveries -- Rhetoric : what do they want us to think?. Using short-term turnover to measure long-term problems ; Sudden turns for the worse ; Designating myths ; Rhetorical flourishes -- Debates : what if they disagree?. Causality debates ; Equality debates ; Policy debates -- Summary : common signs of dubious data -- Better data : some characteristics -- Afterword : if you had no idea things were that bad, they probably aren't -- Suggestions for those who want to continue stat-spotting.
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