Statistics Graphs and Examples What you need to

Statistics, Graphs and Examples What you need to support your “must knows”

Measures of Central Tendency • Mean: Average; sum divided by number of measurements in a data set • Median: Middle number in a data set • Mode: Most frequently occurring number in a data set

X-Y Scatterplot • Graph used to determine the relationship between two variables • Relationship may be positive, negative or non-existent • Correlation does not mean causation!!!

Bar Graph • Histogram • Graph used to show frequencies on the Y axis and characteristics on the X axis • Used for discrete data

Line Graph • Graph used to plot continuous data over time • X axis contains timeline, Y axis shows frequencies

Pie Chart • Graph used to show percentage of a meaningful whole

According to the Experts. . . • Fonts with serifs are easier to read in print • Fonts sans serif are easier to read when projected

Read Carefully. . . • Random is not the same as a sample • Be suspicious of research sponsored by a product supplier • Celebrities often know little about their causes

In general… • Use data from careful research and sampling polls • Telling stories is useful to provide a personal touch • It’s OK to give Personal opinion • Use Internet research from a credible site • Journals are preferable to popular periodicals

And, don’t forget. . . • Know your subject • Know your audience