ERIC Number: EJ745619
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2006-May
Pages: 5
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0013-1784
EISSN: N/A
How to Avoid Statistical Traps
Bracey, Gerald W.
Educational Leadership, v63 n8 p78-82 May 2006
Education statistics are rarely neutral; those who collect and analyze them have different purposes. In this article, Bracey discusses several principles of data interpretation to help educators avoid falling into statistical traps. For example, because such reports as A Nation At Risk contain many "selected, spun, distorted, and even manufactured statistics," Bracey recommends, "If you find a statement the least suspect, ask to see the raw data." He provides examples illustrating why educators should also beware of selectivity, compare rhetoric with numbers, make sure that groups are comparable, know the difference between rates and scores, and do the arithmetic. (Contains 1 figure.)
Descriptors: Educational Research, Statistical Data, Data Interpretation, Statistical Analysis, Research Problems, Statistical Studies, Guidelines, Item Analysis, Criticism
Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development. 1703 North Beauregard Street, Alexandria, VA 22311-1714. Tel: 800-933-2723; Tel: 703-578-9600; Fax: 703-575-5400; Web site: http://www.ascd.org.
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Opinion Papers
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A