WRIT 125 20 - Lies,Damned Lies,and Statistics

Institution:

Wellesley College

Subject:

Description:

Miwa (Chemistry) Which is more dangerous, something that increases your risk of developing cervical cancer by 20 percent or something that increases your risk of developing lung cancer by 10 percent Trampoline injuries nearly tripled from 1991 to 1999; were children and parents less careful as the decade progressed We are suspicious of statistics presented by those with whom we disagree, and perhaps too accepting of sta-tistics that confirm our beliefs. Can you really prove ANYTHING with statistics This course will focus on the use of simple, descriptive statistics (percentages, averages, rates) in writing. We will read articles and books that use statistics to support arguments. We will ex-amine how statistics are sometimes represented incorrectly (false statements) and the ways that true statements can be misleading. Stu-dents will write about topics of interest to them, using statistics to support their arguments. Mandatory credit/noncredit. Prerequisite: None Distribution: None Semester: Fall Unit: 1.0

Credits:

3.00

Credit Hours:

Prerequisites:

Corequisites:

Exclusions:

Level:

Instructional Type:

Lecture

Notes:

Additional Information:

Historical Version(s):

Institution Website:

www.wellesley.edu

Phone Number:

(781) 283-1000

Regional Accreditation:

New England Association of Schools and Colleges

Calendar System:

Semester

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