Introduction
Society today finds it easier to accept newfound scientific knowledge with a solid evidential background. Statistics is a crucial criterion in determining the authenticity of facts. In the past, truth only required a validated hypothesis and theory accompanied by empirical data, a recent innovation.
In the mid-20th century, many influential philosophies in economics, psychology, and social sciences were invented with only pure theories and sometimes through personal experiences with no experiments, precise experimental data, or verification. Records can sometimes be used to lie; therefore, the need to judge opens the door to biased data collection, unethical predetermined results, and partial reporting made to mislead. Accordingly, statistics do not reveal the actuality but conceal the reality since the report is prone to manipulation, and the researchers can easily create a biased conclusion.
Nature and Potential Misuse of Statistics
Statistics can only be misused if the audience is ignorant and does not bother checking them. They are a numerical summary consisting of collected evidence, which provides the starting delving point that directs evidence and confirms whether the arguments hold together. When Mark Twain defined the types of lies, the researcher meant that not all statistics are actual and that most of them are meant to influence people’s minds. Statistics are used to make general scientific decisions, such as vaccine safety and effectiveness (Sawka, 2020). Even when statistical analysis is presented with a margin of error, conclusions are made with a warning that there is a chance of error in the long-term outcome.
Mark Twain argued that statistics are imperfect and do not fully explain a complex state of affairs. There is a difference between facts and statistics because facts are stubborn, while numbers are workable (Gould, 2022). Mr. Twain understood the misleading knowledge of people who use statistics to prop up their pre-existing conventions rather than learning through them.
Numbers manipulate the truth and misdirect people, causing them to accept premises not grounded in history, evident facts, and reproducible decisions. Stats are like any other communication form and can be beguiling or misleading. Therefore, they require some level of interpretation to be understood correctly.
Twain’s objections were precisely aimed at overly simplified arithmetical reports rather than excessively complex adjustments (Sawka, 2020). After Twain’s death, it is difficult to define the word statistics today due to the popularization and development of predictive and inferential data collection methods. Statisticians tend to express more honest opinions about the world’s facts than other researchers who make absolute claims.
Mathematicians do not claim to know things that other people cannot; instead, they offer an interval of plausible values for an unidentified limitation (Smith, 2019). If unsatisfied with that, they spend more time and effort to describe precisely how uncertain they are that even the interval covers the actual value. In addition, they assume that the unknown features of those estimations are correct.
The Pervasive Influence of Statistics and the “Damn Lies” Phenomenon
The application of statistics shapes the daily lives of humans today. Though the information collection field originated centuries ago, its impact has developed over recent years as modern researchers have advanced their methods through innovative and problem-solving approaches. The practice of stats submission plays a significant role in every aspect of life. Statisticians work continuously to discover and implement world-changing developments. Many politicians use numbers to target specific voter demographics, gauge constituent approval rates, and predict election outcomes.
Damn lies are whereby the statement has some truth, but then it has been manipulated to fit someone’s interests. Some statistical analyses are worse than these lies since most people need to care about what they conclude, even when the data collected is present. Stats tend to induce emotions in non-mathematical minds because statisticians apply to matters in which they have interests and use techniques that are not understandable (Smith, 2019). Therefore, statistics can be defined as advanced technology that is applied in daily situations worldwide.
The research evokes the type of fairy tale that the wizards of fiction and myth use to change circumstances daily. Some consumers believe in magic statistics since they view numbers as a type of mathematics and are offended when the outcome is deemed. Judgment is part of statistical data, and any statistical report should be open to questions of honesty.
Decisions about how the information was collected, the quality of the facts, and what can be inferred from the data are critical to the analysis. However, those who practice statistics are ashamed to admit that they were influenced, leading them to conclude their reports. Researchers, including economists, statisticians, and scientists, should involve other professionals to learn how to conduct their lives.
The collected information is represented by figures with no meaning (Smith, 2019). It is only helpful if applied to further people’s goals. For instance, meteorologists may predict the weather. However, individuals are responsible for their own conduct since they are the ones to bear the consequences if they do not believe in the report given.
Transparency, Interpretation, and Ethical Considerations in Statistical Reporting
Mr. Twain meant that statistics could mislead, and at some point, Mark agreed with Benjamin Disraeli when he said that figures often lured his knowledge. Twain rebuked unexamined statistics for misleading him, although sometimes the statisticians do not intend to deceive; if the data is not interpreted, one can slide into a misconception. The writer had a third mind, meaning to win and hold another one’s attention, devotion, or interest, to divert or charm.
Many political campaigners use this method to influence voters and manipulate their voting decisions (Kennedy & Schneider, 2020). Several opinion polls need objective evidence, and readers need help understanding that. If learners could arrange the numbers for themselves, they would find them fascinating because some truths might be hidden in the data.
Opinion poll statistics impact voter turnout among citizens. The effect can be classified as either demobilizing or mobilizing. Learning better techniques seems essential, particularly at a political moment when parties are so divisive and cannot agree on many basic facts (Smith, 2019). Most analysts from the political spectrum speculate about the impact of fake news on election results and other partisan debates. Statistics are not a type of lie; when carefully used, they can be an alternative to deceit.
A good researcher writes like it is their own detective story, with Mother Nature as the culprit and the goal of revealing secrets. Statisticians are free to manipulate the data they collect and present it in a way that they think their readers would agree with and believe in their research. Some choose to remain truthful, while others are biased, depending on the goals they would like to achieve at the end of the exercise. Amplifying the importance of the stats is a way of lying that can make people lack trust in the report (Kennedy & Schneider, 2020). Statistical significance can expose some findings that might be inaccurate if they do not provide sufficient details about the process used to determine results.
Statistics can be used to lie if the report on effect size information is absent. Some reasons used to test the hypotheses process might result in irrelevant impacts, though statistically significant. When reporting findings after good research, it is critical to present information on both the effect size and the dependent variable.
The information should be accurate by ensuring that it does not omit the effect size during a presentation. There is a likelihood of making Type I errors if the findings do not generalize to a broad population interest (Kennedy & Schneider, 2020). It is common in statistics, although most researchers ignore its occurrence.
Conclusion
People need to understand how statistical processes operate and be aware that information can be manipulated to best suit an individual’s interests. Statisticians have used the data collected to present their findings in a biased formula. Reports presented must be judged since some biased reporters might be misled by their prearranged results.
Instead of revealing the truth, reports conceal the actuality and lead to uninformed decisions. Statistics are a form of lie if no tangible evidence is attached. Understanding statistics can provide intellectual skills and knowledge that apply to a broad range of situations. Information provided, if truthful, can be used to build society and ensure accuracy and appropriate decisions since it is based on the exact details of life.
References
Gould, J. C. (2022). Facts are stubborn things, but statistics are pliable. Surgery, 171(3), 641-642. Web.
Kennedy, D. J., & Schneider, B. (2020). Lies, damn lies, and statistic: A commentary. Pain Medicine, 21(10), 2052-2054. Web.
Sawka, K. (2020). The use and misuse of statistics. The Theory of Statistics in Psychology: Applications, Use, and Misunderstandings, 95-110. Web.
Smith, J. A. (2019). There are lies, damned lies and statistics. Journal of Urology, 201(3), 457-458. Web.