Narrating Numbers
"There are lies, there are damned lies, and there are statistics."
--Mark Twain
  • Describe background
  • Describe experimental methodology
  • Describe data collection & findings
  • Describe meaning of statistical measures
  • Interpret graphs & results of data
  • Compare results with hypothesis
  • Discuss modifications, conclusions, & recommendations
Sample Passage in Report:

Jacky and Peters checked Travelocity.com for economy class flights for March.  The fares ranged from $719 to $966, and were on less preferred airlines (e.g. Lot Polish, Turkish, El Al, TWA).  The team also called local airline contacts and inquired about typical security procedures.  Reduced fare may mean compromised safety under current political circumstances.  See pie chart, p. 5 for statistics and brief analysis.  An approximate $1000 variance existed among preferred airlines: $6417.60 aboard March 10 itinerary for Canadian/Air Canada/Swissair.  $5367.60 aboard May 10 itinerary for Air Canada/Swissair.  This finding supports the team's hypothesis, but on the bar graph, p. 6, statistics and analysis suggest….
 

Get it in writing:What kinds of biases do you think you might have to look out for in your hypothesis and in your method of interpreting the data?


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