How statistics can be misleading - Mark Liddell

Explore the statistical phenomenon known as Simpson’s paradox, and how it can lead to incorrect conclusions about data.

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Statistics are persuasive. So much so that people, organizations, and whole countries base some of their most important decisions on organized data. But any set of statistics might have something lurking inside it that can turn the results completely upside down. Mark Liddell investigates Simpson’s paradox.

Lesson by Mark Liddell, animation by Tinmouse Animation Studio.

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[davidbuschhorn]

The numbers will confess to anything if you torture them long enough.

[samsulh]

That's what makes statistics both beautiful AND scary. It doesn't have to lie to trick you.

[gayflower]

Accordion to a recent study, 90% of people fail to realize that the beginning of this sentence is an instrument

[anger_birb]

"A good liar tells mostly the truth. A masterful liar tells only the truth." I don't remember where I heard this but..

[soulextracter]

I remember that in middle school, our teacher would say that people in the past didn't live longer than 40.
The statistics showed that the average lifespan was not more than 40, but that was because the child mortality rate was so high. People could still get 70 - 80 :P My teacher didn't know that!

[Fonzofication]

I love how TED-Ed never has ads. They're here to spread knowledge, no make profits.

[tonyzan]

To many people in the comments are dismissing statistical analysis completely. That is a mistake. The moral here is that you need to be careful and properly recognize and incorporate relevant variables. Statistics when properly used can show trends and help policy makers implement solutions to negative trends.

For example in the hospital example once you incorporated the information about the health of the patients before they were admitted to the hospital you could see, that perhaps hospital A has some, serious deficiencies.

[MasterThYoda]

I would like to congratulate the animators of this TED-Ed! The guest artists usually do a good job in the videos, but I presume this topic was really hard and the animation not only richly ilustrated it, but also was able to make me have fun while watching. Thank you very much. I hope to see more colaborations of this company with TED.

[patfts]

another great statistic: In avarage, every human has one boob and one ball, ever thought about that?

[RichardHannay]

Man, I thought the "Simpson's Paradox" came from Homer saying "people can come up with statistics to prove anything. 14% of people know that." XD

[kizryuver]

Animation, sound effects are simple yet so good and interesting you guys

Its engaging and edutaining so i have lesser chance of being distracted n is easily comprehend...keep it up ted ed..we need channels like these..thanks so much for the information.

[jemuelstanley]

Thanks a lot Ted ed for posting this video. It is really informative. I have always thought statistics can be relied. Today I learnt to look at different perspectives of statistics and the information it provides. Thanks a lot! Keep posting such videos!

[swifterfan]

It's like gerrymandering of data!

[DeAngeloYouKnow]

Ted-Ed don't you ever stop making these videos.:)

[rafiq]

Theres a nice saying i wanna share: Statistics are like bikini, what they reveal is suggestive. But what's hidden is vital :)

[ankurrai]

thanks Ted Ed
there's so much learning in this video,
it guided me

[nuclearsimian]

I never stopped trusting something as fast as I stopped trusting statistics after I took a statistics class.

[myNAMEisKIRSTY]

I think it's important to understand that there is still a purpose for statistics. Just be selective with your sources, consider if what you are reading a biased source such as left or right wing media. What does the writer want to you to feel, angry? shocked? What is their objective? Will they be able to give you a balanced view? If you can't find an unbiased resource read opposing biased sources to get a better idea of reality. Always read critically.

[em-dpov]

Thank you so much, you probably won't see this since this video is 4 years old but this helped me a lot with one of my math classes.

[groznyentertainment]

Amazing educational piece. This is relevant in every aspect of our lives. Hearing politicians using manipulated statistics for their agenda is common