WHAT IS STATS?
We Want
People to think about the numbers behind the news
We Look
At major issues and news stories from a quantitative and scientific perspective
We Help
Journalists think quantitatively through education, workshops and direct assistance with data analysis
We Are
Non-partisan and non-profit; we advocate scientific and statistical methods as the best way of analyzing and solving society's problems. We are a sister organization of the Center for Media and Public Affairs - "America's preeminent news analysts"
STATS Investigates
Does success in college involve having the right genes?
Rebecca Goldin, Ph.D., June 17, 2013
Genetic mining is a huge scientific endeavor, involving complicated statistics and potentially life-saving or life-altering rewards. Unfortunately, this complexity means misinterpretation is a constant risk, one the American Academy for the Advancement of Science’s Science Magazine fell prey to with a recent online article claiming to identify genetic markers linked to education attainment.
Sugar Sweetened Drinks and Diabetes: What’s the Risk?
Rebecca Goldin, Ph.D., June 11, 2013
With obesity commanding the nation’s attention as a major source of health problems, it was not surprising when, a few weeks ago, a large, observational study (across Europe) linking the consumption of one 12-ounce soda per day to a 22 percent increased risk of diabetes triggered headlines.
Worst. Reported. Study. Ever.
Trevor Butterworth, June 7, 2013
I am indebted to a diligent reader for the following headlines that tortured one recent study and an unknown number of Australians and Indians. The first is from Perthnow.com, one of the leading sources of news in Western Australia: “Wrong amount of coffee could kill you.” How much? Not very much, it seems.
RECENT ANALYSIS
Why Do Some People Live To 100 Years?
Geoffrey Kabat, Ph.D., May 29, 2013
Angelina Jolie fallout: Should counseling be required with DNA screenings?
Jon Entine, May 28, 2013
Top Science Journal Rebukes Harvard's Top Nutritionist
Trevor Butterworth, May 27, 2013
BPA Archive
STATS BLOG
Inflation Targeting and the Federal Reserve - By Julia Rubicam, EconoSTATS
(Jun 11, 2013)
Competition in Forestry Certification Standards Is Beneficial Too - By Donald Rieck & Wayne Winegarden, EconoSTATS
(May 9, 2013)
Tracking the Negative Economic Consequences of Sequestration: Part 2 - By Donald Rieck & Wayne Winegarden, EconoSTATS
(April 22, 2013)
Tracking the Sequester’s Cuts: Part 1 - By Donald Rieck & Wayne Winegarden, EconoSTATS
(April 22, 2013)
Read more blog itemsSTATS IN THE NEWS
Talk Therapy or Antidepressant? A Brain Scan Predicts Which Works Best for Your Depression
STATS Fellow Maia Szalavitz on TIME Healthland
(June 17, 2013)
Beware of a Forestry Standard Monopoly
EconoSTATS Contributing Editor Wayne Winegarden and Managing Editor Donald Rieck on Forbes
(June 17, 2013)
Comparing Forest Certification Standards in the U.S.: Economic Analysis and Practical Considerations
New on EconoSTATS.org: Foreword by EconoSTATS Contributing Editor Wayne Winegarden and Managing Editor Donald Rieck
(June 17, 2013)
Reputation vs. Cash Rewards: How to Inspire Good Behavior
STATS Fellow Maia Szalavitz on TIME Healthland
(June 14, 2013)
Where Food Comes From
STATS Senior Fellow Jon Entine/Genetic Literacy Project mentioned on Accuracy in Academia
(June 12, 2013)
Does success in college involve having the right genes? - See more at: http://www.geneticliteracyproject.org/2013/06/17/does-success-in-college-involve-having-the-right-genes/#sthash.rp2JursS.dpuf
Genetic Literacy Project Director of Research Rebecca Goldin, Ph.D.
(June 17, 2013)
The organic hepatitis outbreak: We need organic field testing
Mischa Popoff
(June 17, 2013)
Check out the Genetic Literacy Project- Where Science Trumps Ideology
A groundbreaking study conducted by STATS and The Center for Health and Risk Communication at George Mason University shows how experts view the risks of common chemicals - and that the media are overstating risk.
You can view the Media Monitor, Toxicologists' Opinions on Chemical Risk and Media Coverage, here.
Plus check out Science suppressed: How America became obsessed with BPA
on the web, or download a PDF of the full report here
Sugar-sweetened beverages have become the focus of intense debate in the US as public health advocates and policy makers argue that these drinks are driving the obesity epidemic which is, in turn, driving huge health care costs. Therefore, many argue that soda is subject to a sin tax.
This analysis looks at the soda tax debate and asks whether the data adds up to a compelling case for either position.
Plus, Slimmed Down Sourcing: Media Coverage of Soda Taxes on STATS' sister organization, CMPA.
Underage drinking is a serious problem for our society. From reports in the media, one gets the impression that it is getting worse ever year and that even casual teenage drinking carries with it devastating implications for our youth, including increasing the alcoholism rate of those who drink early and even death. Do the statistics support these stories?
Plus, The do's and don'ts of kicking addiction and treating alcoholism.
Cutting through the clutter, spin, and sophistry: what you need to know to understand ongoing budget debates.
Op-Ed: Capping the debt hyperbole
Climate scientists agree on warming, disagree on dangers, and don’t trust the media’s coverage of climate change
S. Robert Lichter, Ph.D,
April 24, 2008
STATS experts analyze the everyday concerns of parenting.
Land of the free, home of the scared: An interview with Lenore Skenazy
A fellow at STATS since 2004, Szalavitz writes about health, science and public policy. She is co-author, with leading child trauma expert Bruce D. Perry, MD, PhD, of The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog and Other Stories from a Child Psychiatrist's Notebook: What Traumatized Children Can Teach Us About Loss, Love and Healing (Basic, 2007). Her new book Born for Love: Why Empathy Is Essential--and Endangered is out now.
DONATE
Like What We Do? Help Us Do It!
STATS's mission is to improve the quality of scientific and statistical information in public discourse, and to act as a resource for journalists and policy makers on scientific issues and controversies. We rely on general support from subscribers and viewers like you. If you support unbiased analysis of science, public and social policy, please consider donating to us by clicking here.