Statistics in the news media

It is important that the web sources chosen are robust and reliable.

News reports appear on topics as wide-ranging as:

• politics
• health
• town planning
• environmental control
• unemployment
• sport
• science
• attendance at cultural events.

To think critically in social contexts, it is necessary to develop:

• understanding of statistical concepts and language involved in media reports (e.g. average, median, percentage, sample, survey)
• further understanding of how the statistical concepts and language are applied in the reports (e.g. opinion polls, sports results)
• a questioning attitude in order to examine the claims made with regard to the application and interpretation of the statistics.

Questions that can be asked to develop this critical thinking include:

• What statistical terms are used and what do they mean?
• What do these terms mean in the specific context of the reports?
• Are the terms used correctly and reported without bias?
• Have they been applied and interpreted appropriately for the context?
• Is the claim made in the report believable? If not, why not?

The Numeracy in the News website provides newspaper articles with student questions and teacher discussion.

It is a valuable educational resource that aims to inspire teachers to read local newspapers to find articles that can stimulate critical statistical thinking.