Data Reporting and Statistics

By Sir Irvin Adu-Gyamfi, Renowned political scientist/pollster by profession.

Aim to represent the opinions of individuals by sampling a population within a given country

Gallup Poll Composition 18 years or older (Adults) polled Contacted via landline or mail Randomly generated #s Typical sampling size: 1,000 adults Margin of Error at +/- 4% Gender, race, age, educational attainment, and

region may be variables

Data Reports Concise, accurate, and eloquently written

explanation of statistical data. Complimentary document, to fully explain what

each statistic represents and how researcher arrived at their results.

Explains comparisons and %’s that overlap Explains variables of statistics

Example of Data report type-up

Excerpt from Gallup poll website, referring to approval rating of past presidents during several different periods:

“Americans tend to be more charitable in their evaluations of past presidents than they are when the presidents are in office. Former presidents likely transcend politics when the leave office, moving into a more nonpolitical role compared with the highly political environment in which presidents operate.” –Introduction www.gallup.com

Statistical Terms Sample populationSample sizeMean (Average of results)Standard Deviation(Deviation percentiles

between means.Margin of Error (MOE) Z score (Distance above and below MOE)

Approval rating of President Obama’s job on Drug trade control

Tested this by sampling a randomized sample population of 1,000 within the United States and Colombia. 500 U.S. residents and 500 Colombian natives

Received 52% of Americans approving of his job with drug trade and 48% disapproving

60% of Colombians disapprove of Obama’s job of drug trade and 40% approve

StatisticsSample size(n): 1,000, 500 Colombians 500

Americans Standard Deviations: Agreeing Americans: 2.11

Agreeing Colombians: 5.67 Disagreeing Americans: 2.02 Disagreeing Colombians: 1.96

Z- Score: .7794- 70th percentileMOE: 4+/- %

Data report These statistics represent and show that

overall, both Colombia and the U.S. disagree with presidents Obama’s job on drug trade, based off test results.

The Margin of Error was within 3 standard deviations of the mean, proving accuracy of results and comparison.

My suggestion to Mr. President Obama is to reach out to both countries to create a overarching solution for both countries.

Why is this relevant to my field and why should you care?

Statistics proves more accurate representation and adds structure and sense to how political issues affect the world, using numbers and raw data.

Data reporting gives a more precise, articulate explanation of how data is used and manipulated for a pollster or political scientists use.

This genre is professionally used for campaign staff and the public. Allows for explanation of political events/issues/ inquiring questions and gives individuals a more simplified, understandable representation.

Though, complicated process.