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Graphics and statistics can be used to misrepresent data ALL THETIME. Using certain biases and presenting certain information in a waycan lead a reader in a certain direction, misrepresenting amathematical, objective number. It is important to know whereinformation is coming from and how it is achieved since objectivenumbers may not be objective at all.

In statistics, a sample— that is, a small subset ofa larger set of data — to draw inferencesabout thelarger set. The larger set is known as the population from which the sample is drawn. A misrepresentation ofthe sample group can come from handpicking this sample group toone’s he time in wanted outcome. This can be considered a bias sample.

Also, the misrepresentation of data on graphs can largely influencesomeone reading the graph if one doesn’t look closely at thenumbers set forth. For example, as Project Leader David M. Lane writesabout in his introduction from Online Statistics Education, the use ofpictures and “fanciness” as he puts it instead of plainbars on a graph can distort or exaggerate differences in key data. Hetalks about using different-sized pictures of computers on a chartrather than simple bars. There is a humungous looking computer nexttoo very small computer to show a large difference in how many peoplebuy Macs instead of PCs. The distortion ratio in the pictures is 35:1rather than the actual ratio of data being 6:1. Another example hewrites about is the use of the Y-axis on a chart. Instead of settingthe baseline of zero as it should be, one can set the“zero” mark to be 50 focusing or zooming in on the bargraph to the differences, rather than the whole picture.

We see these misrepresentations all the time in advertisements soproducts can be sold to customers. One particular advertisement genrethat gets me every time are political ads. Never mind the“negative” campaigning to slam another opponent, but whenthey represent data, it is a complete bias representation. One onlyhopes people see right through these ads but most of us do not. DOyour due diligence in researching your facts. We are our own fact-checkers!

"Introduction," by Project Leader: David M. Lane,from Online Statistics Education: An Interactive MultimediaCourse of Study