EXPANDING CONCEPTIONS OF STATISTICAL LITERACY: AN ANALYSIS OF PRODUCTS FROM STATISTICS AGENCIES

Abstract

This paper reports the results of an exploratory study of the characteristics of key information products released by statistics agencies. Such products are central to debates and decisions in the public arena, but have received little attention in the literature on statistical literacy, statistics education, or adult numeracy. Based on a qualitative analysis of Internet-based products of six national and international statistics agencies, the paper sketches the characteristics of five product types (Indicators, Press releases, Executive summaries, Reports, and Aggregate data) and of the environment in which they are found. The paper discusses implications for the specification of the skills needed for accessing, filtering, comprehending, and critically evaluating information in these products. Directions for future research and educational practice are outlined.

First published May 2003 at Statistics Education Research Journal: Archives