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Debunking guide – on a postcard

How to question dubious statistics in just a few short steps.

Can you fit a guide to questioning dubious statistics on the back of a postcard? Tim Harford is certainly ready to give it a try. He wants us to be curious: why do we β€œlike” one stat but not another, who wants you to see it, and – behind the headline - what’s it really telling you?

Here’s his debunking cue-card to help you out:

1) Observe your feelings
2) Understand the claim
3) Get the backstory
4) Put things in perspective
5) Embrace imprecision
6) Be curious

Presenter: Tim Harford
Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Available now

9 minutes

Last on

Tue 20 Feb 2018 02:50GMT
ΒιΆΉΙη World Service except News Internet

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Broadcasts

  • Sun 18 Feb 2018 19:50GMT
    ΒιΆΉΙη World Service except News Internet
  • Mon 19 Feb 2018 13:50GMT
    ΒιΆΉΙη World Service except News Internet
  • Tue 20 Feb 2018 02:50GMT
    ΒιΆΉΙη World Service except News Internet

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    Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics used in everyday life