Using Statistics to Solve a Problem
Need assistance with this statistic problem – (in excel
format)
“Lies, damned lies, and statistics” is a phrase
describing the persuasive power of numbers, particularly the use of statistics
to bolster weak arguments, and the tendency of people to disparage statistics
that do not support their positions. It is also sometimes colloquially used to
doubt statistics used to prove an opponent’s point.
The term was popularized in the United States by Mark Twain
(among others), who attributed it to the 19th-century British Prime Minister
Benjamin Disraeli (1804-1881): “There are three kinds of lies: lies,
damned lies, and statistics.” However, the phrase is not found in any of
Disraeli’s works and the earliest known appearances were years after his death.
Other coiners have therefore been proposed. The most plausible, given current
evidence, is Englishman Sir Charles Wentworth Dilke (1843-1911).’
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lies,_damned_lies,_and_statistics)
The (entirely fictitious) University of South Central
Texkansahomatucky (USCT) is being sued for sexually discriminatory hiring
practices. Last year, they hired two classes of employees, administrative staff
and academic staff. They received 750 applications from women for
administrative staff positions, of which they hired 250, and 250 applications
from women for academic positions, of which they hired 200. In total, then, they
had 1000 applications from women of which they hired 450, or 45%. They received
300 applications from men for the administrative positions, of which they hired
75, and 700 applications from men for the academic positions, of which they
hired 550. In total, of the 1000 applications they received from men, they
hired 625, or 62.5%.
Based on the numbers presented, what do you think of the
discrimination claim?
