Everything you wanted to know about statistics but were afraid to ask

Mark Twain popularized the phrase “there are three types of lies: lies, damn lies and statistics”.  Now, over 100 years later, the volume of information and the number of statistics we are exposed to has dramatically increased.  If we believe an informed public is an important part of a healthy and engaged community, it is important that citizens understand statistical jargon and how statistics can be used to hide what is really taking place in the world.

So here begins our mission: to debunk crime and crime prevention statistics for the rest of us!

“By the Numbers” will take an in depth look at crime statistics and research. It will help us, and a community engaged in crime prevention, to understand and challenge statistics and they way they are used to share and present information, influence and justify policy decisions and explain what’s happening in the world today.

Take for example a newspaper article that discusses a murder rate increase of 25%.  This statistic seems alarming. However, if the rate increases to five murders from the previous year of four murders, does the statistic still seem as shocking? This is a classic way to lie with statistics, without actually lying. Presenting percentage changes instead of absolute changes creates a misleading perception. The reverse can also be done. For example, saying that break and enters increased by 75 incidents sounds like a lot. But, if there were 7,500 break and enters in the previous year… an increase of 75 represents only a 1% increase.

I bet you’re intrigued now and can’t wait for more!

“By the Numbers” contributors will include Anthony Piscitelli, Research Supervisor at WRCPC, Jessica Hutchison, Research Analyst at WRCPC and other special guests.