The following is in response to prompt A.
Using statistics founded in data can be an extremely useful tool for a government. Statistics try to summarize the over well-being of a society using quantitative analyses. This is apparent in statistics like gross domestic product (GDP), consumer price index (CPI), and unemployment rate. Each statistics attempts to model and gauge the status of a different facet of society.
One must be extremely careful when deciding to use a statistic. As Davies puts it, statistics are “neither unquestionable truths nor elite conspiracies, but rather…tools designed to simplify the job of government.” The writer must acknowledge how statistics are just tools. They are not undisputable facts that end all debates because the audience will have different ways of interpreting them. Many people will immediately view statistics as a writer’s or politician’s way of intentionally misleading their public. In a study conducted before the presidential election, it was found that about 2 out of 3 Trump supporters distrusted the economic data circulated by the federal government. Clearly there is a lot of suspicion present regarding these statistics.
Another reaction people can have towards statistics is contempt. Many people may not appreciate trying to summarize their lives in a quick number. Based on life experiences, one may not agree with a statistic and immediately question its accuracy and legitimacy. Also, it is impossible to capture all aspects of a population through statistics. Inevitably, some aspects will be excluded, either intentionally or unintentionally. Therefore, by excluding certain factors/people, using statistics may raise resentment towards the writer.
It is crucial to keep all these things in mind when presenting statistics in your arguments. You want to try to avoid alienating part of your audience through use of statistics. To accomplish this, I think it is necessary to thoroughly explain the method of data collection, how the statistic was formed, and who it applies to. If the statistic is carefully explained, I think it will be accepted by a greater audience.
I really like what you had to say about how even though statistics are real facts, everyone can interpret them in their own way. I think that when trying to reach a public, you have to remember that everyone has their own experiences that affect how they act in their everyday lives. I agree that people cannot be summarized in to a few different numbers. It makes me think of unemployment numbers. When someone who is unemployed hears that the unemployment rate has gone down, that might make them angry because the politicians probably feel like their job is done and they can focus on something else. On the other hand, if someone is recently employed and they hear that unemployment rates are decreasing, they will probably react in a very different way than the other person. They will probably feel like the politician is telling the truth and is really doing their job to help the people they are serving. I think your points about how differently one thing can be interpreted by many people is very interesting.
Some people believe that statistics should be the be-all and end-all to any discussion. I agree with you, however, that this is not the case. But because of many authors using statistics in such a way, people have come to immediately disregard any statistic. Every politician like to point at the unemployment rate to debate whether the current leader is doing a good job or not. This will be perceived as disingenuous, though, because many people aren’t living the reality that these statistics are trying to portray. Without the context behind it, which can include but isn’t limited to method of collection and who it applies to, statistics only tell a snippet of the overall picture. A lot of people are not willing to take the time to read into story behind the statistic, though. Many only want a quick takeaway. It seems that using statistics today is tough because an author must surmise a way to frame them in a way to not sow distrust for the rest of the piece.