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Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics in the news and in life

Tim Harford explains the numbers and statistics in the news and in life.

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More or Less: Debunking guide – on a postcard

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Debunking guide – on a postcard

17/02/2018 GMT

BBC World Service - More or Less, Debunking guide – on a postcard

How to question dubious statistics in just a few short steps

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 “like” 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

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