How can you be truthful and accurate when using statistics?

1 Know your data

The first step to being truthful and accurate with statistics is to know your data well. This means understanding where it came from, how it was collected, what it represents, and what its limitations are. You should also check your data for errors, outliers, missing values, or inconsistencies, and decide how to handle them appropriately. Knowing your data will help you avoid making unjustified assumptions, generalizations, or extrapolations that could distort your analysis or interpretation.

2 Choose your methods wisely

The second step to being truthful and accurate with statistics is to choose your methods wisely. This means selecting the most suitable and valid statistical techniques, tests, or models for your data and research question, and applying them correctly and consistently. You should also be aware of the assumptions and conditions that underlie your methods, and verify that they are met by your data. Choosing your methods wisely will help you avoid making invalid or inappropriate inferences, claims, or predictions that could mislead your audience or yourself.

3 Report your results honestly

The third step to being truthful and accurate with statistics is to report your results honestly. This means presenting your findings clearly, accurately, and completely, without omitting, exaggerating, or manipulating any relevant information. You should also acknowledge and disclose any uncertainties, limitations, or sources of error that could affect your results, and avoid drawing conclusions that go beyond what your data and methods can support. Reporting your results honestly will help you avoid creating false or biased impressions, or hiding any flaws or weaknesses in your analysis.

4 Interpret your results critically

The fourth step to being truthful and accurate with statistics is to interpret your results critically. This means evaluating your findings objectively, logically, and cautiously, without jumping to unwarranted or premature conclusions, or ignoring alternative explanations or perspectives. You should also compare and contrast your results with other relevant evidence, literature, or theory, and consider their implications and significance for your field or context. Interpreting your results critically will help you avoid making overconfident or oversimplified statements, or overlooking any gaps or contradictions in your evidence.

5 Communicate your results effectively

The fifth step to being truthful and accurate with statistics is to communicate your results effectively. This means conveying your message clearly, concisely, and coherently, using appropriate language, formats, and visuals. You should also tailor your communication to your intended audience, purpose, and medium, and use statistics to support, illustrate, or emphasize your points, rather than to confuse, impress, or persuade. Communicating your results effectively will help you avoid misrepresenting or misinterpreting your statistics, or losing or confusing your audience.

6 Learn from feedback and criticism

The sixth and final step to being truthful and accurate with statistics is to learn from feedback and criticism. This means seeking and welcoming constructive comments, suggestions, or questions from your peers, mentors, reviewers, or readers, and responding to them respectfully and professionally. You should also be open to revising, improving, or correcting your work, based on new insights, evidence, or methods, and acknowledge and appreciate any contributions or influences from others. Learning from feedback and criticism will help you avoid being defensive or arrogant, or repeating the same mistakes or errors.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?