43rd Applied Statistics Workshop: Statistics for Public Policy

Using statistics in public policy settings presents challenges not commonly addressed in academic statistical training. This workshop seeks to bridge theory and practice, and not academic practice but practice with the Mayor’s staff as they size up issues, consider options, and make decisions. It does so through three sessions, starting first with big-picture ideas such as the roles that statistics can play in policy decisions and how academic and policy practice can differ. The second session discusses statistical essentials important for a policy aide to wield with confidence, such as knowing the details of definitions behind the data and how to gauge the value of statistics from nonrandom samples. The third session addresses the controversial but important task of selecting and defending adjectives to convey whether a number is large or small, alarming or ignorable. The session also explains principles for communicating statistics to diverse audiences, ranging from policy wonks to high-level decision makers, so that the statistics are seen, understood, and believed.