Getting Comfortable with Statistics

You just found the perfect table! It has all the information you were looking for and it was freely available on the web. You even found it using Google, really... what more could you ask for?

BUT - do you know where this table comes from? What are those statistics based on? Who created this table and why? What was the motivation behind creating these statistics? What do the columns represent? the rows? What are the units? Do they mesh with your research question?

Just when you think you've found your answer someone comes along and throws all these silly questions at you.

Answer these questions to help you understand your statistics

1. What is the source of these statistics?

• Do you see a citation on the web page you found your table on?
• Is the web page from a reputable association or organization?

2. Who funded or commissioned these statistics?

• If the table was generated by an association - is it a for profit organization? Could this lead to any biases in the table results?

3. How were these numbers collected and the statistics generated?

• A survey, government statistics?
• Who had contact with the respondents?
• How were the questions asked?

4. How were the individuals or objects studied and how were they selected?

• Who was surveyed?
• How was the survey conducted?
• Was the population surveyed inclusive?
• Was it a consumer survey conducted by a consultant or marketing agency?

5. How are the statistics arranged and what do they represent?

• What do the columns in your table represent?
• What do the rows in your table represent?
• What does each value in the cells represent?
• What are the units of measurement?

6. Do you need any additional information to help you determine the limitations of these statistics?

7. Will you use this table? Why or why not?

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ASSIGNMENT

1. Evaluate the following table using the 5 criteria Number of Family Medicine and Specialist Physicians by Province/Territory, Canada, 2008
2. Decide whether you would use these statistics in a report you have been asked to write for the Ministry of Health.
3. In D2L, complete the assignment quiz by stating whether you would use these statistics and why. The quiz will be open from Friday, July 9, 2010 through to midnight Friday, July 23, 2010.