“Correlation does not imply causation”. If you have ever done data analysis yourself then this phrase must be engrained in your brain. As over-used as this phrase seems it is probably not said enough. There is a reason for the popularity of the content about correlation vs causation (isn't there?). Simply speaking, correlation means there is a mutual relationship or
This is another one of our posts in the series of How Not to Get Fooled by Statistics. We talked about cherry picking data, visualisation tricks, and data sources. Sometimes misleading data can stem from the flawed research methodology. There are many ways where research could go wrong if the methodology is not thought through. We will try to review
Continuing our series of How Not to Get Fooled by Statistics our post today is about recognising misleading graphs or charts. Data visualisation is good, it helps us easily understand otherwise complex data and focus on what’s important. However, it is also a powerful tool for data manipulation and deception. There are so many misleading graphs and charts out there,
This post is continuing the series on How not to get fooled by statistics. We talked earlier about the importance of checking the data sources and their relevance. Today’s topic is about cherry picking data to present only those that are favourable to the presenter while omitting the rest of the information. That may sound harmless at first but if
In the previous post we started talking about misleading statistics and how they can be used to deceive people. Since we have a lot to say about it, we decided to make it a series of posts, so we can focus on different issues. Today we will talk about the importance of the data sources when dealing with statistics. When
Scottish poet Andrew Lang is credited with having first used these words on statistics sometime around the turn of the 20th Century: “I shall try not to use statistics as a drunken man uses lamp-posts, for support rather than for illumination”. Yet, we live in a world increasingly bombarded with data on a wide range of topics. They are often
With technology improving by the day and more of us spending ever longer glued to our phones and iPads. It’s become all too easy to sit at our desks and tap away on our keyboards. But actually, you have to ask yourself whether this is the most effective way to communicate rather than meeting face to face when you’re in
If you have read our previous blogs, you will know that we have focused on ways to ensure your customers remain loyal, but what are you doing to ensure you can expect the same loyalty from your employees? Employee engagement is as important as customer loyalty. As Richard Branson said “If you look after your staff, they will look after
You are likely to have heard this along with: "You can't prevent events from happening in life, it is how you respond to them that determines the outcome." Just look at the recent fate of some of former industry-leaders on high streets – BHS, Austin Reed and Cecil Gee... They have all become casualties in the past two months, mostly
Social media is often seen as the marmite of any marketing toolkit – you either love it or you hate it. But whatever your stand point, the majority of businesses have some sort of presence on social media sites. Be it Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube or all of them, companies recognise it as being of some benefit to their business.
