Anti-Black and Anti-Semitic Attacks Top the FBI's 2017 Records for Hate Crimes
City, state, tribal, and other law enforcement agencies reported more than 7,000 hate crimes to the FBI in 2017, according to numbers the FBI released on Tuesday.
Statistics
Chicago's Murder Problem Could Be Worse
The city has reputation for violence, but without some of the best trauma centers the situation could be much worse.
Modern Scientists Are Wrong Far More Than You Think
Statisticians have shown that many scientific findings are wrong, and without an increase in statistical know-how for scientists it'll continue happening.
The Benefits of Statistical Models
An applied mathematician wonders whether his environmental management models are doing anyone any good. Turns out, they probably are.
How One Little Number Erodes Trust in Science
Statisticians say it's time to end the cult of "statistical significance."
More Than Just the Numbers
When we treat people as collections of statistics, we ignore important aspects of their humanity.
Just How Wealthy Is the Average American?
Remembering the difference between mean and median.
Why Statistically Significant Studies Can Be Insignificant
Modern statistics have made it easier than ever for us to fool ourselves.
You, Yes You, Can Analyze Data, Too
What does it take to break into the growing field of data analysis? To start, you'll need the Internet, a computer, and some basic math skills.
How Narratives Cheat the Athletes Who Create Them
Athletes and fans look at sports differently. Ryan O'Hanlon, who is not a professional athlete, and Clint Irwin, who is a professional athlete, wonder if the two sides can ever be separated.
How Do We Know the Death Toll in Syria Is Accurate?
The count of the dead in Syria and other global trouble spots matters a great deal, and so does the provenance of the numbers presented. Here's one exhaustive effort to get them right.
The Formula for a Hollywood Blockbuster
No bowling alleys, no summoning demons, and no troubled superheroes.
The Power of the Gini Index
How an equation cooked up by Mussolini’s numbers guy came to define how we think about inequality—from Occupy Wall Street to the World Bank to the billionaires at Davos—and why it’s time to find a new way of looking at the numbers.
Understanding Popular Uses of Percentages
While "figures lie and liars figure," that's no reason not to pay attention to some basic facts about common numerical comparisons.
We Are Accused of Over-cheerfulness
Letters to the editor: OK, bucko, step outside and say we're afraid of population growth. Go ahead. See what happens.
Oscar Predictions Golden
And the award for most accurate Oscar predictions by a statistical analyst goes to ... Iain Pardoe.