D4) Rising above the noise: Using statistics-based reporting
- Time:
- Saturday, November 2nd, 3:45 pm to 5:00 pm
- Location:
- Century Ballroom A
- Speaker(s):
- Hilda BastianBlogger & editor, National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) at the National Institutes of Health
- Evelyn LambMathematician & writer, Scientific American
- Regina NuzzoFreelance journalist & associate professor of statistics, Gallaudet University
- John Allen PaulosAuthor & mathematics professor, Temple University
- Moderator(s):
- Kathleen RavenFreelance journalist, Reuters Health
- Organizer(s):
- Kathleen RavenFreelance journalist, Reuters Health
Science writers must produce written, audio or visual stories that capture and hold the attention of a reader/listener/viewer. With so much information just one “swipe” away, editors and consumers are demanding stories that stay fresh and relevant long after the initial post. The one-word solution to such predicaments? Statistics. In this session, science writers with deep backgrounds in mathematics will provide key takeaways attendees can use immediately to help their stories rise above the noise. The takeaways will include: necessary vocabulary for talking about statistics, a framework for understanding how numbers can be manipulated, a checklist to ensure quality data, and, not least, examples of stories built solidly with statistics. Statistics is not a “catch-phrase” for serious journalism. It is key for better reporting and better story-telling.
