Confusion Between Odds and Probability, a Pandemic?


Authors: 
Lawrence V. Fulton, Francis A. Mendez, Nathaniel D. Bastian, and R. Muzaffer Musal
Year: 
2012
URL: 
http://ww2.amstat.org/publications/jse/v20n3/fulton.pdf
Abstract: 

This manuscript discusses the common confusion between the terms probability and odds. To
emphasize the importance and responsibility of being meticulous in the dissemination of
information and knowledge, this manuscript reveals five cases of sources of inaccurate statistical
language embedded in the dissemination of information to the general public. The five cases
presented are: Texas Lottery, Texas PowerBall, the Discovery Education Website, ScienceNews,
and the Oregon State website.

The CAUSE Research Group is supported in part by a member initiative grant from the American Statistical Association’s Section on Statistics and Data Science Education