Sorry, wrong number: The use and misuse of numerical facts in analysis and media reporting of energy issues
- LBNL Library
Students of public policy sometimes envision an idealized policy process where competent data collection and incisive analysis on both sides of a debate lead to reasoned judgments and sound decisions. Unfortunately, numbers that prove decisive in policy debates are not always carefully developed, credibly documented, or correct. This paper presents four widely cited examples of numbers in the energy field that are either misleading or wrong. It explores the origins of these numbers, how they missed the mark, and how they have been misused by both analysts and the media. In addition, it describes and uses a three-stage analytical process for evaluating such statistics that involves defining terms and boundaries, assessing underlying data, and critically analyzing arguments.
- Research Organization:
- Ernest Orlando Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA (US)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- US Department of Energy; US Environmental Protection Agency. Office of Atmospheric Programs (US)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC03-76SF00098
- OSTI ID:
- 839192
- Report Number(s):
- LBNL--50499
- Journal Information:
- Annual Review of Energy and the Environment, Journal Name: Annual Review of Energy and the Environment Vol. 27; ISSN ANEEER; ISSN 1056-3466
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Data Torturing and the Misuse of Statistical Tools
Complexities in gauging time-dependency of proliferation resistance