Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
One evening, select a Canadian television channel and watch the news. Write down the subject of any news story that uses statistical information. Were any of the decisions reported in the stories based on statistics?
Study three national newspapers with the same date. Count the number of articles on the front page of each newspaper. How many stories on each front page mention statistics? Calculate the ratio of articles that use statistics to those that do not. For each newspaper, calculate the percentage of stories on the front page that use statistics. Present the results in the form of a table.
Imagine you are a politician who wants to lower the voting age of the population from 18 to 16. What statistical information might you use to support your case? Would you argue that the decision in favour of lowering the voting age should be based on the statistics alone? Why or why not?
Other than statistics, what kinds of information would you need to make a decision about the following issues?
increasing taxation
reducing traffic congestion
quitting smoking
buying a computer
starting a new business.
Which city outside Canada is your favourite? Use one item of statistical information to argue in favour of your choice.
Can you think of situations where the same statistical information could be used to justify opposite decisions?
Write a one-page essay describing three uses of statistical information in society. Give examples.
Carefully study the world population figures in Table 1 and answer the questions below:
Which organizations might want these figures?
For what issues would these figures be relevant?
Based on these issues, what kinds of decisions would you make considering the information in the table below? Discuss in class.
Table 1. United Nations world population forecast
1996
2050
millions
China
1,232
1,517
India
945
1,533
Pakistan
140
357
Nigeria
115
338
Indonesia
200
318
Iran
70
170
USA
269
347
Ethiopia
58
213
Brazil
161
243
Bangladesh
120
218
Kenya
28
66
Brazil
93
154
Russian Federation
148
114
Philippines
69
130
Uganda
20
66
Source: United Nations Department for Economic and Social Information and Policy Analysis. World Population. 1996.