How to Deceive with Statistics

Really Obviously Lying edition

Dear Ivy League Schools,

It makes sense that you want to fudge on the proportion of full-time faculty in order to improve your rankings. It also makes sense that you don't want to pay huge fines for reporting false numbers to the government.

What doesn't make sense is expecting that you can successfully satisfy both of these desires. Perhaps none of your administration has taken introductory economics, so let me give you taste: Human beings face constraints. We have many desires, but cannot satisfy all of them. This is what creates the thing we call choice. Your choice was look good to US New & World Report or look honest to US Department of Education. If you try to do both, you'll accomplish neither.

If you're going to report conflicting numbers, make sure at least one set is not publicly available.

3 comments:

10/29/2009 8:20 AM Jessie said...

Oh snap!

(Heeey!)

10/31/2009 11:32 PM Anonymous said...

Figures - I always knew those Harvididans were not to be trusted. Maybe their football team cheats too... that would make me feel better.

11/13/2009 5:34 PM Katie said...

I mean, if you're going to lie, at least exert SOME effort.

 

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