Inferential Statistics Independent Study Assignment
Background
Statistics is the art and science of gathering, analyzing, and making conclusions from data.
Descriptive statistics describe the population we are studying. The data could be collected from either
a sample or a population, but the results help us organize and describe data (such as measures of
central tendency). Descriptive statistics can only be used to describe the group that is being studied.
That is, the results cannot be generalized to any larger group.
However, many uses of statistics in society want to draw conclusions about segments of the population,
such as all parents, all women, all victims, etc.
Inferential statistics are used to make predictions or inferences about a population from observations
and analyses of a sample. That is, we can generalize the statistics from a sample to the larger
population that the sample represents. In order to do this, information must be presented in an
objective manner and be free from bias.
In order to be good consumers of statistics in society, we must always make certain that we can identify
key pieces of information in an article, such as the point of view of the author or whether or not the
article contains any bias.
Just because an article has been published does not mean that the article has correctly used statistical
reasoning to make its point! In order to help us identify whether or not an article (and the information
presented within it) is valid, we will look at two common ways in which objectivity in an article is
compromised; through point of view and media bias.
Point of View
Issues cause many people to disagree. Some examples of issues that people disagree about are:
 The causes of and solutions to global warming
 The importance of hockey in Canadian society
 The effectiveness of public and private education
Why do people disagree? Often the root of the disagreement is point of view. A point of view is an
opinion on, or belief about, a topic that is based on the individual’s prior knowledge and experiences.
When analyzing an issue, it is important to consider all of the points of view that people hold. When
your knowledge of a particular issue is extensive, you can evaluate more effectively the quality of
arguments being presented. By considering opposing points of view, you can better develop your own
point of view on an issue.
Bias
Researchers collect data to uncover the truth. However, the truth can be distorted when the data
collected has been influenced by the way that data is presented. This is called media bias. Intentionally
or unintentionally, the point of view of the person telling a story can influence how the story is told and
received. The following are common types of media bias:
 Bias by omission: Ignoring or deliberately leaving out a fact from a report or series of reports.
For example, a news story reports that increasing spending on education will lead to better test
scores. The report quotes from several school boards where this has happened. The story does
not mention school boards where no increase in spending occurred, and yet test scores still
increased, presumably for other reasons.
 Bias by selection of data sources: Including more sources that support the reporter’s point of
view than sources that support other points of view. For example, a blog written by a reporter
who supports stiffer penalties for crimes committed by young offenders quotes multiple “expert
opinions” that agree with that point of view. The opposing viewpoint is mentioned but
minimalized in the story, and only one source is quoted to support that side of the issue.
 Bias by spin: Reporting only one interpretation of an event, a fact, or a policy, to the exclusion
of others. For example, in a university newspaper a reporter writes about the positive effects on
student morale caused by “welcome week” parties. The story fails to mention the detrimental
effects these parties have on people who live in the surrounding community.
 Bias by story selection: Telling stories that support only a specific point of view, or emphasizing
those stories while minimizing stories that support opposing points of view. For example, a TV
reporter is doing a story on a large wind farm in NS. The reporter interviews the CEO of the
energy company that won the contract to build the wind farm, several farmers whose land is
being leased, and two environmental experts who tout the benefits of green energy. He fails to
include interviews with people who have been negatively affected by wind farms.
 Bias by labelling: Tagging people and groups who oppose a reporter’s point of view with
extreme or negative labels, and/or tagging people and groups who support the reporter’s point
of view with mild or positive labels. For example, a reporter writing a story on the use of
animals for scientific research may use words such as “expert”, “specialist”, or “authority” to
describe people or groups who support the reporter’s point of view, even if others might
dispute such a description.
Reports are considered objective when they are free from media bias. An objective report is intended to
inform, rather than influence.
Assignment Questions
All questions must be answered using complete sentences!
Task One
Read articles 2 and 3. Identify the point of view of the author in each article. Show how data in each
article supports the author’s point of view.
Task Two
Read articles 5 and 6.
a) Describe the issue dealt with in articles 5 and 6.
b) Does the points of view presented.
c) Does either article contain media bias? Explain how you know.
d) What is your point of view on the issue?