How should advocates critically evaluate statistics being presented as evidence? What issues should the listener look for when evaluating statistics?

What will be an ideal response?

Advocates must be skeptical of statistics and evaluate them in terms of relevance,
reliability, and recency. When evaluating this, listeners must ask the question “is the conclusion
supported by the statistic?" Statistics merely express a quantified measurement. Correlation does
not equate with causation and statistics might be interpreted to support a conclusion that was not
proven through a statistical survey. Second, a listener should ask the question, does the sample
represent a reliable cross-section? Quality statistical evidence should sample a demographically
representative sample that can be generalized across the population. Third, listeners should ask if
the contextual variables undermine the reliability of the statistic. Questions can often lead
respondents into responding in a way that does not accurately reflect the express preferences of
the respondent. Finally, listeners should ask if the statistics reflect current reality. People’s
beliefs change over time and statistics need to reflect current reality. Attitudes about issues such
as marriage equality or marijuana legalization change over time and statistics must reflect current
views. For instance, a study from the 1950s measuring people’s attitudes towards marriage
equality would not adequately explain the attitudes of people in 2017.