Page 133 - Invited Paper Session (IPS) - Volume 1

IPS115 Reija H.
the Google’s search engine results are clearly misleading or offensive (Google
[2017]). Statistics are a part of this information overload: official statistics,
statistical studies and unofficial statistics alike. Statistics always paint a picture
of society – studies using the statistical methods can improve many things,
ranging from the fundamental questions of society to highly specialised
matters. However, statistics can also be used to mislead people. Statistics or
its interpreters can also be sources for disinformation.
Information creators and researchers have the responsibility and
obligation to promote the usage of trustworthy information, as well as the
know-how of the methods used to create and analyse information. However,
statistics are not an intrinsic value in themselves. It is more important to match
the correct information with each need. Information needs to serve a purpose
in decision making (Pullinger, J. [2013]). Statistics are a part of information data
sets or - to use a fashionable term - information ecosystems. For functioning
information ecosystems to form, the following things are required:
collaboration between its’ members, understanding of different fields of
expertise and strengths, and an understanding of what actors and sources are
not a part of this collaboration network. If we could filter disinformation out
of the sea of information overflow, we would get closer to knowledge itself.
When it comes to statistics, the right people to ask about the relevance of
different sources in the information ecologies are statisticians and the
representatives of statistical entities. This role is essentially a role of a fact
checker – even a watchdog of sorts.

2. ISLP promotes statistical literacy everywhere in the world
The International Statistical Literacy Project (ISLP) has a history of over 30
years. The main idea the project was founded on is even more relevant today.
The ISLP started off promoting the statistical skills of young people, now the
promotion of statistical thinking and skills of citizens and other actors in
society is also on the table (see more about ISLP history from Helenius, R.
[2018]).
ISLP is a project initiated by the International Association for Statistical
Education (IASE), which is the educational section of the International
Statistical Institute (ISI). The project is run by a four-person executive team and
supported by a five-strong steering group appointed by the IASE. The most
important actors in the project are the 140 voluntary country coordinators who
operate in 73 countries located in every continent.

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