Statistics can be manipulated to say what you want them to say. Teach your classes to be wise consumers and sort through the bias in those reports. Young statisticians study different statistical reports and analyze them for...

Some say that you can make statistics say whatever you want. It is important for learners to recognize these biases. Pupils learn about sample bias and the different types of samples.

To understand how biased data is misleading, learners analyze survey data and graphical representations. They use that information to design their own plans to collect information on consumer thoughts about Chocolicious cereal. 

Put your knowledge of sample surveys to good use. Pupils begin by conducting a survey of class members. They identify an appropriate topic and sampling technique; collect and organize their data; compute and analyze statistical measures;...

Students explore mathematics by researching stereotypes. In this gender bias lesson, students participate in discussions where they identify traditional careers according to their own gender. Female students attend summer camp and...

Learners consider the advantages and disadvantages of various sampling techniques. They define a simple random sample and identify possible sources of bias in other types of samples. Answer Key included.

Learners explore the possibility that a products name might bias a consumers decision to buy a particular product. The question remains to be answered, "Why do consumers buy what they buy and why that particular product?"

Students investigate the idea of gender descrimination in the classroom. In this algebra lesson, students collect data in stereotyping, and gender bias in the classroom, school materials and activities. They graph and analyze their...

It's time to take a survey. After looking at an example of a survey on lunch preferences, groups design their own surveys. They consider the sample size and sampling technique, then conduct the surveys. As a final activity, they create...

Students explore the concept of sampling techniques. In this sampling techniques lesson, students identify possible sources of bias in situations such as phone polls, supermarket surveys, and drawing names from a phone book. Students...

Is time on your side? Pupils come up with an experiment to test whether their classmates can guess how long it takes for 30 seconds to elapse. They divide the class data into two groups, create box-and-whisker plots, and analyze the...

Show your classes how different means can represent the same data. Individuals collect household size data and calculate the mean. Pupils learn how handling of the data influences the value of the mean. 

Explore the power of mathematics through this two-week statistics unit. Pupils learn about several climate-related issues and complete surveys that communicate their perceptions. They graph both univariate and bivariate data and use...

Students identify the types of information gathering styles and different surveying styles. They distribute a survey around your school to determine the different forms of transportation used to get to school.

Ninth graders assess the accuracy and reliability of current survey data and how it is represented. They design a survey, collect data, and use technology to analyze the data and present the results. Students examine scatter plots and...

An article from "Effective Clinical Practice," a past publication of the American College of Physicians, details the biased presentation of breast cancer danger and how it affects public perception. [Published March/April 2001]