Statistical literacy is important. I love examples of folks using statistical concepts without being snobby statistical gatekeepers. For instance, see jargon-free statistical literacy that helps people make important decisions about their children's health or informs the immigration debate . As stats teachers, I think we are remiss if we don't talk about political polling in our classes. At least a little bit. Here is a brief, nonpartisan interview about political polling you can use in class to see whether students can identify the concepts they've learned. Here is a short NPR i nterview o n how to think properly about political polling. If you use the interview in class, you could ask your students to identify the statistics and research methods mentioned. I clocked margin of error, sampling error, and research methodology evaluation. If using an audio interview isn't your thing, check out t his summary piece from NPR, based on the...
I decided that I shouldn't limit my Hunks of Statistics list to man-hunks. There are some lady-hunks as well. Like Sharon Begley.
I was introduced to Begley's work via Newsweek. She is a science writer by trade and has written several short, applicable news stories that I have used in statistics and psychology classes. The stories I list below cast a very critical eye on psychology. I think this is useful because she makes valid points AND these articles are a great way to generate student discussion.
-"Ignoring the evidence: Why do psychologists reject science?" discusses why some clinical/counseling psychologists ignore empirically-backed therapeutic methods in favor of home-brewed interventions (dolphin therapy, anyone?). I use this to get students talking about the importance of research-based decisions in psychology.
-"What's really human: The trouble with human guinea pigs" exposes the fact that most psychology research is conducted using undergraduates from developed countries. It primes students for a discussion of the importance of multicultural research, the limitations of generalization of research studies, etc.
-"More trial, less error: An effort to improve scientific studies": How important is replication? It is so important that a business called Science Exchange is actually providing professional replication services (instead of waiting around to do it yourself or for a peer to do so).
-Her personal website with a compilation of her online writings
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| Sharon Begley, from thedailybeast.com |
I was introduced to Begley's work via Newsweek. She is a science writer by trade and has written several short, applicable news stories that I have used in statistics and psychology classes. The stories I list below cast a very critical eye on psychology. I think this is useful because she makes valid points AND these articles are a great way to generate student discussion.
-"Ignoring the evidence: Why do psychologists reject science?" discusses why some clinical/counseling psychologists ignore empirically-backed therapeutic methods in favor of home-brewed interventions (dolphin therapy, anyone?). I use this to get students talking about the importance of research-based decisions in psychology.
-"What's really human: The trouble with human guinea pigs" exposes the fact that most psychology research is conducted using undergraduates from developed countries. It primes students for a discussion of the importance of multicultural research, the limitations of generalization of research studies, etc.
-"More trial, less error: An effort to improve scientific studies": How important is replication? It is so important that a business called Science Exchange is actually providing professional replication services (instead of waiting around to do it yourself or for a peer to do so).
-Her personal website with a compilation of her online writings