December 12, 2011

Stat of the Week Competition: December 10-16 2011

Each week, we would like to invite readers of Stats Chat to submit nominations for our Stat of the Week competition and be in with the chance to win an iTunes voucher.

Here’s how it works:

  • Anyone may add a comment on this post to nominate their Stat of the Week candidate before midday Friday December 16 2011.
  • Statistics can be bad, exemplary or fascinating.
  • The statistic must be in the NZ media during the period of December 10-16 2011 inclusive.
  • Quote the statistic, when and where it was published and tell us why it should be our Stat of the Week.

Next Monday at midday we’ll announce the winner of this week’s Stat of the Week competition, and start a new one.

The fine print:

  • Judging will be conducted by the blog moderator in liaison with staff at the Department of Statistics, The University of Auckland.
  • The judges’ decision will be final.
  • The judges can decide not to award a prize if they do not believe a suitable statistic has been posted in the preceeding week.
  • Only the first nomination of any individual example of a statistic used in the NZ media will qualify for the competition.
  • Employees (other than student employees) of the Statistics department at the University of Auckland are not eligible to win.
  • The person posting the winning entry will receive a $20 iTunes voucher.
  • The blog moderator will contact the winner via their notified email address and advise the details of the $20 iTunes voucher to that same email address.
  • The competition will commence Monday 8 August 2011 and continue until cancellation is notified on the blog.

Nominations

  • avatar
    Steve Taylor

    Statistic: Number of children admitted with non-accidental injuries
    Source: NZ Herald
    Date: 10 Dec 2011

    Clearly a plot to produce an emotive slant on the problem, i.e. to portray it as growing faster than it really is. The y-axis should start at zero to present an unbiased view of the numbers.

    12 years ago

  • avatar
    Sammie Jia

    Statistic: Losers let loose in letters to Lotteries

    Customers were most frustrated with Instant Kiwi, which attracted 113 complaints, followed by Lotto, Strike and Powerball, which attracted 93 complaints.

    Lotto player Mike Poland – who has been buying tickets since 1987 without a big win – said some complaints were ridiculous.

    “I think people who have an attitude like that have a sad life and should not buy things like that and just get on with life,” said Poland, 66.

    The tour bus driver said he wasn’t very lucky – his largest win in 24 years was $2200 – but it was all about holding on to hope.
    Source: NZ herald
    Date: Dec 11, 2011

    It seems people believe they should win at least a jackpot in their lives if they keep buying lotto weekly for the whole lives.

    12 years ago