Use and abuse of Statistics

     It is not just numbers that can be used to mislead; half truths can do it too. But we are more inclined to believe that numbers are ‘true’, and convey ‘truth’. My brainwave was to suggest (11^th April) that propaganda pamphlets would gain enormously in credibility and usefulness if the text were agreed by both sides of the argument.

     Then on the BBC’s Today programme this morning (13^th April, 08.10 hrs) I find Nick Robinson trying to separate facts from interpretations, and forcing his opposed speakers to agree on ‘facts’.  

     Bravo; though I doubt Nick Robinson had read my posting of Monday 11^th.