STAT 301 - Business Statistics
Homework #4 and #6 - How to Lie with Statistics

Darrell Huff's book How to Lie with Statistics is a classic work on the uses and abuses of statistical tools. It was originally published in 1954, and remains quite relevant today. It is filled with examples to illustrate how to communicate statistical information effectively - and how to spot misuses of statistics.

Three copies of the book have been placed on reserve at the library. Copies are also available in the university bookstore. If you choose to use the library copies (rather than purchasing your own), I strongly encourage you not to wait until the last minute on this assignment, as many students will be trying to access that same limited number of copies. (Library policy limits the number of copies of any work than can be placed on reserve.)

I have divided the text into two parts of roughly 70 pages each. Homework #4 involves the first half of the book (pp. 1-73). Homework #6 involves the second half (pp. 74-142). For each part, you are to:

1) Read the text.

2) Write a short summary (3-4 pages, typed) of the book, highlighting key points and recounting memorable examples.

3) Find one example from contemporary sources (within the past year) that illustrates one of the concepts from the book. Briefly explain why you believe this is a "bad example" of statistics. (Provide a complete bibliographic citation for your source.)

4) Find another example from contemporary sources (again, within the past year) that shows statistics being done right. (After all, not all statistics are lies.) Again, briefly explain why you believe this is a "good example," and provide complete bibliographic citation for your source.

This assignment should be typed. Your two examples should be attached neatly to the rest of the paper.

Homework #4 (the first half of the book) is due on Wednesday, February 20. Homework #8 (the second half of the book) is due on Wednesday, March 20. Late assignments are not accepted. Each assignment is worth 40 points toward your homework/quiz grade.