Resource Library

A quote to motivate discussion of how knowledge builds from a base. The quote is by Austrian-American Mathematician Hilda Geiringer (1893-1973) who used it in connection to her philosophy of probability and how it should build from a firm mathematical base but be connected to real world problems. The quote is contained in her 1964 preface to Mathematical Theory of Probability and Statistics by Richard von Mises (von Mises was her husband and she wrote and compiled the book from his notes after his death).

A quote to motivate discussions of government economic measures and the validity of measurements. The quote is by American economist and statistician Mollie Orshansky (1915-2006), the developer of the poverty level used by the U.S. government. The quote is from her article "Counting the Poor: Another Look at the Poverty Profile," in the January 1965 Social Security Administration Bulletin.

A quote to initiate a discussion about critiquing statistical issues in public policy statements seen in the media. The quote is from American writer and public policy researcher Kathleen Geier (1963 - ) and may be found in her article "On the importance of statistical literacy," in Washington Monthly May 12, 2012.

A quote for use in a statistics education course to initiate conversations about the key elements that foster student learning. The quote is by American Statistics Education Researcher Joan Garfield (1951 - ) from the University of Minnesota. The quote appears in her article "How Students Learn Statistics" in the International Statistical Review (1995; p. 25-34).

A quote to initiate a discussion of sampling and the value of randomization in avoiding bias. The quote is by economist and blogger Jaana M Goodrich (1955 - ) writing in her blog under the pseudonym Echidne of the Snakes. The quote is found at http://echidneofthesnakes.blogspot.com/2005/01/exit-polls-make-my-heart-beat-faster.html

A quote that can be used in discussing how data are more convincing to people if they align with current beliefs. The quote is by American mathematician Mary Gray (1938 - ) and comes from the title of her 1993 (v. 8, page 144) Statistical Science "Can Statistics Tell Us What We Do Not Want to Hear? The Case of Complex Salary Structures." The paper, the commentaries on the paper, and Dr. Gray’s rejoinder to the commentaries include discussions of many statistical issues and is very approachable for undergraduate students.

A quote that can be used in discussing the value and wide applicability of simulation for understanding statistical concepts and applying statistical methods. The quote is by American Statistical educator Christine Franklin (1956 - ) and is found in a 2013 interview with her conducted by Allan Rossman in the Journal of Statistics Education (volume 21, number 3).

A quote to initiate discussions of model building By British Statistician and Epidemiologist Hilda Mary Woods (1892-1971). The quote is from her paper "The influence of external factors on the mortality from pneumonia in childhood and later adult life" in the Journal of Hygiene 1927 pages 36-43 (quote is on page 42).

What is correct, what is incorrect, and why?

A quote to motivate discussions of the importance of statistics for critical thinking. The quote is by Deborah J. Rumsey (1961 - ), The Ohio State University. The quote appears in Chapter 1 page 10 of her book, Statistics For Dummies 2nd edition, 2011