This paper is from Session 7B: ISLP past and now
which comes under Topic 7: Statistical literacy in the wider society
Paper 7B1 (Monday 9th, 14:00-15:30)
How to collaborate with the media to enhance statistical literacy of the general public
Presenter
- Pim Bellinga (I Hate Statistics, Netherlands)
Co-author
- Thijs Gillebaart (I Hate Statistics, Netherlands)
Abstract
The grand societal challenges we face, all require that citizens can understand and interpret quantitative information. Firstly, these main concepts of statistics and data analysis should be taught in schools. Additional approaches are required however: a large part of society is not statistically literate and not attending traditional education anymore. For this second group, we see a key role for media: they are experts in communicating to the general public. Yet until recently, most journalism schools did not educate their students on statistical literacy. This brings us to the challenge: How to collaborate with the media to enhance statistical literacy of the general public? Our goal is to present a preliminary set of guidelines and resources that individual countries can adopt to increase statistical literacy.