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EPQ/Media/Journalism: Making Sense of Statistics – Facts, Fiction and Data with Jamal Lahmar from The University of Sheffield
28th November 2018 @ 13:00 - 13:45
Numbers are often used by politicians, in the news, and through social media, to present powerful and persuasive data stories.
Statements that involve statistics can be seen in headlines and research reports related to sports, migration, the economy, health, education … almost every subject imaginable!
This session explores statistical decision-making and presentational choices in research and the media. We will examine some recent examples of headlines and scientific research which have been subtly or seriously misrepresented, exploring some basic techniques for summarising data (such as averages and graphs) to help understand where a researcher or journalist might be making decisions that can have a huge impact on the story being told.
Suitable for: This lecture would be appropriate for Year 12 and Year 13. This session could broadly be considered “Information literacy” with a focus on statistical messages, so really this would be suitable for any students hoping to continue their academic studies or go into an occupation where data literacy is required.
Lecturer Biography (Please click): Jamal Lahmar
Preparation or Pre-Reading: We recommend that students consider some questions in advance relevant to the subject matter and their particular interests in information literacy and the presentation of statistics.
The IT Setup: The setup is similar to Skype, using a pc and webcam, although students take part as a group with the image projected on a whiteboard rather than as individuals in front of lots of pcs. Dedicated videoconferencing equipment is also compatible if available to the school. We will work with your IT department to ensure everything is set up and working prior to the event. The sessions are generally limited to 3 or 4 schools to maintain the interactive nature of the experience.
Booking a Place: If you have a group of students that you would like to take part in this event, please contact us via email or via the contact form at the top right of this webpage. Subject to availability we will book a place for you.