Statistics and Public Policy

by Bruce D. Spencer

Book Overview

Statistics--data, methods, and thinking--play important and fascinating roles in public issues. Yet, these roles are sometimes unknown to statistics students and even to professional statisticians. This book indicates some connections between statistics and public issues such as government policy- or decision-making, public administration, law, and public debate. It describes examples of statistics in public policy areas as disparate as national defense,...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0198523416
• ISBN13: 9780198523413
• Release Date: April 1997
• Publisher: OUP Oxford
• Length: 302 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 6.4" x 9.6"

Customer Reviews

This book provide hints to alert readers on misuse of stats

This book examines the uses and the pitfalls encountered in the everyday use of statistics. It also examine ambiquity in statistical analysis. The book can also help those that are confused in understanding controversial assumptions in cost-benefit analysis in Public Policy. Policy analysists should read the book because it can enhance them with better understanding of the use of statistics for good policy research and sensitive analysis concerning risk assessment and different values for human lives. By reading the book, they can provide useful advice to the society without encoumbering the analysis with unwarranted assumptions about the value of life.