11.11 Statistical literacy#
Statistical literacy is the ability to understand and reason with statistical data. It applies to all age groups and categories of society to better understand data presented to them in its various forms in daily life and, consequently, allow them to make better evidence-based and informed decisions. An NSO can play a major role in improving statistical literacy for the public benefit and ensuring that the value of statistical outputs is maximised.
NSOs use different strategies to improve statistical literacy in different target groups. Strategies such as improving the accessibility to statistics via easy-to-use, well-designed and understandable websites. Strategic questions that are relevant to the chief statistician include:
What is the role of NSOs in developing numeracy and statistical literacy in society?
Why is it important/crucial for the existence of official statistics?
How much resources should be put on promoting statistical literacy?
What innovative methods can be used to improve statistical literacy?
The UNECE ‘Making data meaningful handbook Part 4 (🔗) lists the following target groups for improving statistical literacy:
Opinion leaders (the media, politicians, NGOs, academia): web-based tools tailored for specific key users; targeted training courses.
Decision-makers (elected officials, government policymakers): web-based tools tailored for specific key users; targeted training courses; newsletters; social media; educational presentations.
The education community: influencing the curriculum; provide educational material for teachers; web-based educational resources for children.
Respondents, businesses and the general public: easily findable, accessible and clear data; animated stories, data displays and visualisations; educational website sections to explain statistics; social media.
Within statistical organizations: structured development programmes for staff; training courses; educational leave; training by retirees.
The International Statistical Literacy Project (ISLP).