Statistics from A to Z: Confusing Concepts Clarified

Everyone needs to know a bit about the interpretation of statistical data. I would go so far as to say that some understanding of statistics is an essential part of democracy. The average citizen, faced with statements like “kills 99 per cent of all known germs” or “contains 25 per cent less fat”, needs to know what they actually mean. This understanding is rendered difficult by the fact that many ordinary citizens have an aversion to numbers, and most especially to numbers accompanied by Greek squiggles. People who would be ashamed to admit to any degree of illiteracy will laughingly...