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Data Proficiency - Lesson Two

Lesson 2: Misconceptions in Data Analysis

The Data Proficiency Program training lessons are now available to state employees. Upon completion of each section quiz badges will be emailed from mph@subscriptions.in.gov. We welcome all state employees to sign up via their state email account to receive future updates and news about our Data Proficiency Program. Subscribe to our mailing list to stay in touch with us.

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Statistics are all around us every day. Most sources present these statistics as fact, but what do they really mean? Do they give you all the information you need to know?

Consider this: If someone offers to give you 10 percent of the cash in their pocket, is that all the information you want to know? You might follow-up by asking how much money is in the person’s pocket. Usually, one data point or statistics doesn’t give you the full picture of what’s going on.

From reading the news to making decision about large purchases to analyzing trends on the job, having a basic understanding of numbers, data and visualizations can help you to make better, data-driven decisions.

To learn more, watch the lesson on misconceptions in data analysis via YouTube.

Extra Reading:

Here are some additional examples of how to spot misleading statistics and understand the data behind them.

‘Air Travel Surges 123%’: A Lesson About Misleading Statistics (New York Times)
5 sources of misleading statistics (and how they can jeopardize your company) (GeckoBoard.com Blog)

<< Go back to Lesson One - What are data and data literacy? | Go to Lesson Three - Telling Stories with Data Visualizations >>

Video from Arizona State University's Study Hall: Data Literacy series.

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