How to Lie with Statistics - Essay Example

The book “How to Lie with Statistics” by Darrel Huff gives an insight on statistics and how to use it in an intelligent manner. The author put forward many ideas on statistics which can be useful in business arenas. One of the most profound information in the book was the way the author explained about the power of graph. The author state that an eye –catching graph can get the attention of the viewer and hide the bad. Also the book states that range on graph can have an impact on its interpretation. The range set on the graph can give opposite ideas. If the bottom of a line or bar chart is truncated, the difference can seem larger than real and can prove useful to the illustrator of the project. The book suggest that the choice of proportion of x and y – axis can change the perspective as well it is simple to do with modern software available now. He also show how two or three dimensional objects can be used to change the perception of the viewer. The writer provided many examples how biased examples can give way to inaccurate results. He says drawing average to depict statistics can give wrong inference to common people and it is essential to know the range and median for correct information reflection. For example average salary alone cannot give complete information and hence it is important to showcase median, mean and mode. He also says that missing little figures can question the completeness of the statistics. Using a small group and not providing enough information on a question and not labeling the axis in graph can mislead information. He also suggests that one must keep an eye on the probable and standard errors with measurements. For him a difference is a difference only it makes a difference. Graphs can be manipulated by cutting the graph from bottom so that the visible area looks less. Also the measures of axis can be changed to make the graph look better or worse. In charts, if one dimension is replaced with two dimensions then results can be distortive. He also explains on the post hoc rides. The sampling trick is another point mentioned by the author. The author claims that samples should be larger and should be done on random basis. He suggests that larger samples give better estimation. Also games with graphics are a topic of the author. He assures that graphic can mislead us and better analysis is needed to understand the message of the graphics. According to maps are not very meaningful. Also when objects in the chart are showed in varying sizes can be manipulative. This is a deceptive technique to show objects in varying size to show their number have increased or decreased. Another topic he has discussed in semi – attached figures where missing information can mislead the viewer. It means stating one thing as a proof for something else. The book has many important points which are beneficial to people in business as well as general people. People many a times get deceived by information presented by certain projects, research work and advertisements. My favorite part in the book is where the author describes about the semi – attached figures. Here the author means avoid information which is not relevant with the subject. For example, he states that if a medicine assures to cure a cold, it is not necessary to point out what types of germs it killed. Because it is not sure which germs in first place causes cold. So it does not make sense that the medicine kills such and such which is not responsible for causing cold. In modern day advertisements are deceiving the customers to a great level. There are numerous products which claim to have same effect. For example, almost all toothpastes guarantee that it can prevent tooth decay and protection to the teeth throughout the day by fighting germs. We know decay is caused mostly by food particles left in tooth crevices overnight but there are other reasons for cavity. So the ad can say we protect teeth but need not specify against what. Another example is when detergents prove too successful in removing stains whereas it does not remove sweat stains and they don’t in reality. So they can say stains but do not have to specify which stain will be removed. Such claims can increase the expectation of the customer and can be deceived when they do not see the results. The customers need to be aware of the fact that advertisement might provide wrong statistics about the customer feedback. For example, the company might tell that so many people using tooth paste have experienced change after eating food that they does not feel pain while eating cold or hot food. Such facts have less truth to it. The customers also need to look out that the facts provided by companies are true or false. For example, the cosmetic company can say that after using their product one might get clearer skin. However, the customer should check whether which type of skin responded to such skin care products. The book “How to lie with statistics” is a useful book as it gives facts which we see every day in life every where we can see exaggerated information in the form of survey, maps, charts and graphs. The survey gives information based on small groups and such results are not accurate and not beneficial to people. Also some projects present objects which are bigger to distort the effect of the information. The people many a times manipulate objects, graphs and charts to put the people in problem. Also averages are not a good way to present facts and median, mean and mode need to be included to make things clearer. The author is alerting the people through his book by revealing the tricks of statistics. Reading this book is an advantage for all people. Read More