Ethics of Numbers: Use and Abuse of Statistics

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Ethics of Numbers Use and Abuse of Statistics
Caution in Using and Interpreting Sample
Data Northern Plains Ethics Institute
Forum Fargo, ND January 26, 2005

• Dr. Richard Rathge
• Professor and Director
• North Dakota State Data Center

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What is the American Community Survey?

• A large, continuous demographic survey
• Produces annual and multi-year estimates of the
  characteristics of the population and housing
• Produces characteristics, not a population count
• Produces information for small areas including
  tracts, block groups and population subgroups -
  updated every year
• Key component of reengineered 2010 census

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Geographic Coverage Over Time
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Data Profiles 2002
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Demographics Tables
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Fact North Dakotas estimate of children
under the age of 18, not covered by health
insurance, declined from 10.1 in 2000 to
7.9 in 2001.
Policy Interpretation Our efforts are working?
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Ethics of Numbers Use and Abuse of Statistics

• Dr. Richard Rathge, Director
• North Dakota State Data Center, Fargo, ND NDSU,
  IACC 424, Fargo, ND 58105
• Richard.Rathge_at_ndsu.nodak.edu
• Phone [phone] Fax [phone]
• URL www.ndsu.edu/sdc