Recognizing the shortcomings of statistics in media: what can novices do?

Abstract

The many shortcomings of statistics quoted in the media (mostly newspapers) have been found, such as various graphical deceptions. To promote statistical literacy, an introductory course on statistics should deal with some of these shortcomings. This study aimed at discovering examples of such shortcomings that would be accessible to novice students, and receiving feedback about their experience in finding similar examples in the media.