With 100 + episodes, 'Stats + Stories' continues to advocate for numerical literacy | Campus - Miami University

Miami University’s John Bailer believes people have a big problem with numbers by Ryan McSheffrey, Journalism at Miami University.

John Bailer, Rosemary Pennington and Richard Campbell generate the stories statistics tell. 
Photo: Miami University

"There are people who are prideful in their statements of 'I don't do math,'" said Bailer, chair of Miami's department of statistics and University Distinguished Professor. "The idea that you could be prideful in your ignorance is a sad commentary for me."

According to Bailer, there's something of a double standard going on.

"If you were illiterate, you'd be embarrassed to say so. It would be viewed as something you need to fix."

Miami professor Richard Campbell has first-hand experience in a field he says students who have this kind of statistical illiteracy tend to drift toward...

The show ramped up to weekly production after receiving funding from the American Statistical Association last year. It’s also landed a listing on National Public Radio's website.  A typical episode has 800-1,200 listeners, some of whom tell the panelists about its reach.

"My niece told me her high school math teacher was a fan of 'Stats + Stories' and used it in class," Bailer said. "My nephew who goes to another university (read: not Miami) said a professor assigned it as an assignment in class."
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Source: Miami University