Leighton Klein, policy journalist and editor for Journalist's Resource, a research portal and curated database at Harvard University, has created a simple guide of statistical terms and concepts journalists should know.
For example, do you know that correlation and causation are not the same? Klein explains that correlation shows a relationship between variables but causation determines which variable affects the other.
What about sampling? Since most studies are completed using samples, it is important to know the different types of population samples. Klein compares random sampling, where subjects are chosen by chance, to stratified sampling, where the sample is constructed in a similar demographic representation as the entire population.
Klein directs journalists to Math for Journalists for a refresher on averages, means and medians and provides links to several free online statistics tutorials.
For example, do you know that correlation and causation are not the same? Klein explains that correlation shows a relationship between variables but causation determines which variable affects the other.
What about sampling? Since most studies are completed using samples, it is important to know the different types of population samples. Klein compares random sampling, where subjects are chosen by chance, to stratified sampling, where the sample is constructed in a similar demographic representation as the entire population.
Klein directs journalists to Math for Journalists for a refresher on averages, means and medians and provides links to several free online statistics tutorials.
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