Reading numbers in the news without getting misled
Numbers make stories sound precise, but they can be presented in ways that leave out important context. These four ideas help.
Percent and percentage points
If a rate rises from 10 percent to 12 percent, it has risen by two percentage points, or by twenty percent in relative terms. Both statements are true, and they sound very different. Check which one a story uses.
Absolute numbers versus rates
A city with more residents will usually record more of almost anything. Rates per 1,000 or 100,000 people allow fairer comparisons.
Averages hide spread
The mean can be pulled up by a few very large values. The median, which is the middle value, often describes a typical case better, for example with income or house prices.
Sample size and method
A survey of 200 people carries more uncertainty than a survey of 2,000. Good reports state the sample size, the dates and the margin of error.
Also remember that two things happening together does not prove that one caused the other. Reliable reporting explains how researchers accounted for other factors.
This article is general educational information and does not refer to any specific news event. See our editorial policy.
