Includes bibliographical references (pages 101-121) and index.
Contents:
Introduction -- Chapter One: The BLS and the underestimation of unemployment -- Chapter Two: The Centers for Disease Control and the overestimation of life expectancy -- Chapter Three: The FBI and the miscalculation of crime -- Chapter Four: The Census Bureau and the decennial population undercount -- Chapter Five: Why official statistics matter -- References -- Index.
Summary:
"This book examines the measurement efforts of several government agencies responsible for some of the most widely watched social indicators on unemployment, life expectancy, crime, and population. It argues these official statistics are dubious at best, not so much objective barometers of social life but socially constructed metrics"-- Provided by publisher. The Misuse, Misrepresentation, and Politicization of Statistics in American Society critically examines the early measurement efforts of several government agencies responsible for some of the most widely watched social indicators on unemployment, life expectancy, crime, and population. It argues that official statistics are dubious at best, better seen not so much as objective barometers of social life but rather as socially constructed metrics that are easily manipulated and often politicized. This book argues that official statistics powerfully frame social reality, ultimately helping to determine who counts and what matters in society. It makes the case that, as with other types of official accounts, data derived from government sources needs to be regarded skeptically and systematically investigated. This book concludes that official statistics are a kind of sanctioned cover up of everyday reality, hiding the true extent of joblessness, distorting the real increase in life expectancy, obscuring where crime actually happens, and understanding the undeniable growth of minority populations--back cover.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.