Working With Numbers and Statistics: A Handbook for Journalists

by Livingston,Charles

• ISBN13: 9780805852486
• ISBN10: 0805852484
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Hardcover
• Copyright: 2005-03-31
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

"This resource is designed as a reference work for journalism students developing their writing and reporting skills. It will also serve professionals as a useful tool to improve their understanding and use of numbers in news stories."--BOOK JACKET.

Table of Contents

Preface	vii
Chapter 1. Introduction	1	(6)
Chapter 2. Some Fundamentals	7	(24)
2.1. Percentages	7	(3)
2.2. Adjusting for Inflation	10	(2)
2.3. Working with Probability	12	(2)
2.4. Interest, Simple and Compound	14	(1)
2.5. Rates (Ratios)	15	(1)
2.6. Scientific Notation	16	(1)
2.7. Names of Numbers	16	(1)
2.8. Rounding	17	(2)
2.9. Conversion Factors	19	(2)
2.10. Issues of Logic	21	(2)
2.11. Decoding Budgets	23	(2)
2.12. Taxes	25	(3)
2.13. Business Basics	28	(3)
Chapter 3. Describing Data	31	(20)
3.1. Averages	31	(5)
3.2. Variation	36	(4)
3.3. Correlation	40	(3)
3.4. Interpreting Tables	43	(4)
3.5. Displaying Data with Graphs	47	(4)
Chapter 4. Estimation	51	(10)
4.1. Polling Data: Estimating a Proportion	52	(3)
4.2. Estimating a Mean	55	(3)
4.3. Other Estimates	58	(3)
Chapter 5. Inference: Drawing Conclusions from Data	61	(10)
5.1. Hypothesis Testing and p-Values	61	(3)
5.2. Correlation	64	(5)
5.3. Fallacy: Regression to the Mean	69	(2)
Chapter 6. Surveying and Experimental Design	71	(6)
6.1. Surveying Techniques	71	(2)
6.2. Experimental Design	73	(2)
6.3. Observational Studies	75	(2)
Chapter 7. Advanced Statistics	77	(12)
7.1. The Normal Distribution	77	(3)
7.2. z-Scores	80	(1)
7.3. Estimates	81	(2)
7.4. Hypothesis Testing	83	(6)
Chapter 8. Cautions and Fallacies	89	(10)
8.1. Correlation and Causation	89	(1)
8.2. Beware the Non-Random Sample	90	(2)
8.3. A Large Population does not Demand a Large Sample	92	(1)
8.4. Comparing Numbers versus Comparing Percentages	92	(1)
8.5. Percentage Change versus Percentage Point Change	93	(1)
8.6. Regression to the Mean	93	(1)
8.7. Nonexistent Trends	94	(1)
8.8. Probability with Conditions	95	(1)
8.9. Combining Overlapping Quantities	95	(1)
8.10. Probability versus Odds	96	(3)
Chapter 9. Excel and the Internet	99	(6)
9.1. Web Resources	99	(1)
9.2. Working with Excel	99	(6)
Chapter 10. Writing with Numbers	105	(4)
10.1. Use Numbers - But Sparingly	105	(2)
10.2. Alternatives to Raw Numbers	107	(2)
Appendix: Table of CPI, 1920-2004	109	(2)
Index	111