Statistical Literacy Quotes

Misunderstanding of probability may be the greatest of all impediments to scientific literacy.

In a climate where people don't understand the numbers, newspapers, campaigners, companies, and politicians can get away with murder

I think that a failure of statistical thinking is the major intellectual shortcoming of our universities, journalism and intellectual culture.

Statistical thinking will one day be as necessary for efficient citizenship as the ability to read and write!

Those who use 'Correlation is not the same as causation' as a magic incantation to dismiss all fact-using professions are fools holding a lit match in one hand and an open gas can in the other, screaming, 'One has nothing to do with the other!'

One of the first things taught in introductory statistics textbooks is that correlation is not causation. It is also one of the first things forgotten.

On average, people should be more skeptical when they see numbers. They should be more willing to play around with the data themselves.

It is the mark of a truly intelligent person to be moved by statistics.

The statistics might have a Eurosceptic cast, but they are not exactly a fun read. Few of us want to wade through ONS graphs or European Commission tables.

Not enough of our society is trained how to understand and interpret quantitative information. This activity is a centerpiece of science literacy to which we should all strive-the future health, wealth, and security of our democracy depend on it. Until that is achieved, we are at risk of making under-informed decisions that affect ourselves, our communities, our country, and even the world.

The median isn't the message.

Numeracy isn't a sign of geekiness, but a basic requirement for intelligent discussions of public policy.

Americans know very little about social statistics, but I am not sure that it's important that Americans know about social statistics.

Be able to analyze statistics, which can be used to support or undercut almost any argument.