Transcript Dimensions of Statistical Literacy

Dimensions of Statistical Literacy
13 September 2006 UNECE Work Session on
Dissemination and Communication
Statistical literacy is an ability ...
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… to understand
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… to critically evaluate
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… to appreciate the contributions of statistical thinking
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According to Katherine Wallman
Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
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Elements of Statistical Literacy
Social and economic concepts
 Inflation, unemployment rate, GDP, fertility, etc...
 Statistical way of thinking
 Statistical properties of mean & median, indices, growth
rates, etc...
 Knowledge of the research process
 Samples, data gathering, questioning techniques, etc..
 Understanding of different presentation modes
 Tables, graphics, text
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
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Elements of Statistical Literacy, cont.
Imagination
 capacity to see behind the numbers, connecting different
sources
 Carefulness
 checking, checking, checking
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
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NSI - problems in educating the public
Only small audiences compared to the need
 Audiences are self-selected
 Many target groups with differing needs
 Exercises are difficult to organise (students’ lack of time,
passivity, short courses)
 Missing pedagogical capacity
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
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System of statistical literacy promotion of ordinary
people, Statistics Finland
Statistics Finland
”Intellectuals”
& Politicians
Lecturing
Internet service
Agenda setting
Ad hoc service
Media
Journalists
Ordinary people
Lecturing
National
education system
Teachers
Basic skills of
statistical literacy
Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
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How can the NSI help
an ORDINARY PEOPLE’s understanding of statistics?
Their main source of daily statistical information is the
media
 A good web service is important, but it should also support
understanding of statistics:
 Present easy definitions linked to the statistical data!
 Avoid difficult statistical terminology!
 Tell how the information has been compiled!
 Use standardised and clear graphics and tables!
 Offer opportunities to exercise on the web!
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
7
How can the NSI support
the JOURNALIST to succeed in the jungle of
statistics?
Journalists are always in a hurry, have no time for
theoretical problems, but always have time for discussion
and questions
 Personal contact supported with the web helps them best:
 databank of concepts on the web
 methodological information on the web
 basic course on reading statistics (lectures, web)
 ad hoc courses/seminars on up-to-date themes
 ad hoc statistical support
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
8
How can the NSI support
a TEACHER to educate people to understand
statistics
Teachers need a solid theoretical basis in statistical thinking,
but also ready-made exercises
 Teaching materials on the web and tailored lectures (multiform
teaching) seem the best solution:
 The NSI & education sector co-produce teaching materials
 supporting material for tutoring of a student (e.g. how to find
statistics, to make a sample, etc.) on the web
 ready-made exercises on the web
 databank of concepts on the web
 easy to use models of graphics and tables on the web
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
9
How can the NSI try to get
“INTELLECTUALS” to support the idea of statistical
literacy?
The “intellectuals” are highly networked and they live within
a continuous dialogue, but you cannot teach them
 Networking is also the key for the NSI:
 co-operation on data analysis
 invitation to write into NSI publications
 methodological seminars
 good models of tables and graphics on the web and in
printed publications
 the NSI should take part in scientific discussion on
relevant fields
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
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Attachment
My presentation reflects the conditions of a small northern
country and solutions found by Statistics Finland
 Here are some basic facts about both of them
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
11
Finland
POPULATION: 5.26 million
 LANGUAGE: 91% Finnish, 6% Swedish
 GDP: EUR 155.3 billion, about EUR 30,000 per capita
 EMPLOYMENT RATE: 68%
 EXPENDITURE ON COMMUNICATION: EUR 942 per
household
 NEWSPAPERS: circulation 3.228 million copies
 LIBRARIES: 2,333 million borrowers
 INTERNET: 2.8 million users (aged 15-74) in spring 2006
 EDUCATION: 64% of total population completed at least
upper secondary school
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
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Statistics Finland
The National Statistical Office with about 1,000 employees
 The tasks and autonomy defined by law
 Services among others:
 700 releases of statistics in a year
 the web service with 154,000 different visitors per month
 eCourse in Statistics: 9 basic courses
 30 chargeable lecture courses in a year
 134 publications: among them three periodicals
publishing analyses and statistics
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Statistics Finland / Jussi Melkas
25.8.2006
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