Can People Lie with Statistics

Fortis College
Sociology
Week 1 assignment

Can People lie with statistics?

The purpose of graph and survey is to show how a group responds. There are many
different types of graph a person can use to interpret data. There are many different types of
graph used in the world. Some of these graphs are pie graph, line graph, bar graph and ETC.
There are misleading graphs that give false information or a distorted map. These types of graph
misrepresent data as a whole. Some graphs may be misleading in which there is incorrect
information in the way it is represented, also the samples that have been taken. Graphs can be
subject to different interpretations from the reader or viewer. Misleading graphs may be used in
false advertising. Accurate information taken from a scientific view point can illustrate a proper
graph which may be correct and valid. When we talk about a survey, a survey is concerned about
a persons opinion. It does not show valid information about the subject or the topic. Graphs that
misrepresent data are truncated graphs, pie charts, bar graphs and line graphs. The data collected
has to be correct and reliable for the graph to be valid. Some graphs have improper intervals or
units used in the graph that may be manipulated to create an image or a variable that is correct. It
may not provide the accurate information about the study or corporation. Graphs sometimes use
improper extraction of information about statistics. There is another example of a newer graph,
which is a 3-D image of numbers and statistic. The problem with these graphs is that it may
confuse the reader and the information may be invalid. The purpose of the graph is to make it
easier for the reader to understand the information, but graphs sometimes are difficult to read and
understand for some individuals.

Reference:

Macionis, J. J. (2012). Sociology (14th ed.). Pearson

Statistics How To (2013). Retrieved from http://www.statisticshowto.com/misleading-graphs/