1. Bad logic → Bad arguments → Bad decisions The Book of Bad Arguments is a simple explanation of common logical flaws / barriers to successful, evidence-based decisions. This beautifully illustrated work by Ali Almossawi (@AliAlmossawi) should be on everyone’s bookshelf. Now available in several languages.
2. Home visits for children → Lifelong benefits → Better society Susan Urahn, EVP of Pew Charitable Trusts, says evidence-based policymaking can guide better use of taxpayer dollars. Her @GOVERNING piece explains how measuring effectiveness will transform delivery of social services. Since research confirms that early childhood affects lifelong behavior and health, states are investing in family support and coaching programs.
3. Words+Numbers → Statistics → Fresh Hell Hilda Bastian (@hildabast) reminds us to keep our sense of humor: “The comedic possibilities of clinical epidemiology are known to be limitless.” Her wonderful blog is Statistically Funny. “OMG that spider is HUGE!” “Where? What – that little thing?” Words mean different things to different people, but numbers do also. Her latest post explains the evidence on why we struggle to get our heads around – and describe – big numbers and relative risks: We do okay with “18 out of 20” but not so much with “18,000 out of 20,000”.
4. Data → Analytics → Decision skills You’ve got the data and the analytics. Now what? One finance executive found a way to improve his team’s data literacy with data-driven decision making bootcamps.
Posted by Tracy Allison Altman on 11-Jun-2016.
