Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 73
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 73
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Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
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Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Deprecated (16384): The ArrayAccess methods will be removed in 4.0.0.Use getParam(), getData() and getQuery() instead. - /home/brlfuser/public_html/src/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line: 74
 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php. [CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311]
Code Context


        trigger_error($message, E_USER_DEPRECATED);

    }
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 You can disable deprecation warnings by setting `Error.errorLevel` to `E_ALL & ~E_USER_DEPRECATED` in your config/app.php.'
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deprecationWarning - CORE/src/Core/functions.php, line 311
Cake\Http\ServerRequest::offsetGet() - CORE/src/Http/ServerRequest.php, line 2421
App\Controller\ArtileDetailController::printArticle() - APP/Controller/ArtileDetailController.php, line 74
Cake\Controller\Controller::invokeAction() - CORE/src/Controller/Controller.php, line 610
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::_invoke() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 120
Cake\Http\ActionDispatcher::dispatch() - CORE/src/Http/ActionDispatcher.php, line 94
Cake\Http\BaseApplication::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/BaseApplication.php, line 235
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\RoutingMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/RoutingMiddleware.php, line 162
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Routing\Middleware\AssetMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Routing/Middleware/AssetMiddleware.php, line 88
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Error\Middleware\ErrorHandlerMiddleware::__invoke() - CORE/src/Error/Middleware/ErrorHandlerMiddleware.php, line 96
Cake\Http\Runner::__invoke() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 65
Cake\Http\Runner::run() - CORE/src/Http/Runner.php, line 51
Cake\Http\Server::run() - CORE/src/Http/Server.php, line 98

Warning (512): Unable to emit headers. Headers sent in file=/home/brlfuser/public_html/vendor/cakephp/cakephp/src/Error/Debugger.php line=853 [CORE/src/Http/ResponseEmitter.php, line 48]
Code Context
            if (Configure::read('debug')) {

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-The Hindu&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Three reports&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&amp;rsquo;s report titled &amp;lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&amp;rsquo;, and the World Bank&amp;rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&amp;rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&amp;rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &amp;ldquo;Report highlights India&amp;rsquo;s digital divide&amp;rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&amp;rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&amp;rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&amp;rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous

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&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Three reports&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&amp;rsquo;s report titled &amp;lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&amp;rsquo;, and the World Bank&amp;rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&amp;rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&amp;rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &amp;ldquo;Report highlights India&amp;rsquo;s digital divide&amp;rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous

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Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous

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                <strong>Numbers aren&#039;t neutral -AS Panneerselvan</strong></h1>
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                <div align="justify">-The Hindu<br /><br /><em>Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous<br /></em><br />An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.<br /><br /><em>Three reports<br /></em><br />The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&rsquo;s report titled &lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&rsquo;, and the World Bank&rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.<br /><br />Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.<br /><br />The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &ldquo;Report highlights India&rsquo;s digital divide&rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.<br /><br />For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.<br /><br />Please <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true" title="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>               </font>
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-The Hindu&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Three reports&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&amp;rsquo;s report titled &amp;lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&amp;rsquo;, and the World Bank&amp;rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&amp;rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&amp;rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &amp;ldquo;Report highlights India&amp;rsquo;s digital divide&amp;rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&amp;rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&amp;rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&amp;rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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-The Hindu&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Three reports&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&amp;rsquo;s report titled &amp;lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&amp;rsquo;, and the World Bank&amp;rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&amp;rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&amp;rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &amp;ldquo;Report highlights India&amp;rsquo;s digital divide&amp;rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
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&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous

An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes,...&#039;
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-The Hindu

Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous

An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes,..."/>
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                <div align="justify">-The Hindu<br /><br /><em>Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous<br /></em><br />An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.<br /><br /><em>Three reports<br /></em><br />The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&rsquo;s report titled &lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&rsquo;, and the World Bank&rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.<br /><br />Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.<br /><br />The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &ldquo;Report highlights India&rsquo;s digital divide&rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.<br /><br />For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.<br /><br />Please <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true" title="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>               </font>
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-The Hindu&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Three reports&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&amp;rsquo;s report titled &amp;lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&amp;rsquo;, and the World Bank&amp;rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&amp;rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&amp;rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &amp;ldquo;Report highlights India&amp;rsquo;s digital divide&amp;rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&amp;rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&amp;rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&amp;rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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-The Hindu&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;em&gt;Three reports&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&amp;rsquo;s report titled &amp;lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&amp;rsquo;, and the World Bank&amp;rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&amp;rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&amp;rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &amp;ldquo;Report highlights India&amp;rsquo;s digital divide&amp;rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&amp;rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&amp;rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&amp;rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.&lt;br /&gt;
&lt;br /&gt;
Please &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;
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-The Hindu

Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous

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$disp = &#039;&lt;div align=&quot;justify&quot;&gt;-The Hindu&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;&lt;em&gt;Three reports&lt;br /&gt;&lt;/em&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&amp;rsquo;s report titled &amp;lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&amp;rsquo;, and the World Bank&amp;rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&amp;rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&amp;rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &amp;ldquo;Report highlights India&amp;rsquo;s digital divide&amp;rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&amp;rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&amp;rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&amp;rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.&lt;br /&gt;&lt;br /&gt;Please &lt;a href=&quot;http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true&quot; title=&quot;http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true&quot;&gt;click here&lt;/a&gt; to read more. &lt;br /&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&#039;
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Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous

An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes,..."/>
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                <div align="justify">-The Hindu<br /><br /><em>Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous<br /></em><br />An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.<br /><br /><em>Three reports<br /></em><br />The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&rsquo;s report titled &lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&rsquo;, and the World Bank&rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.<br /><br />Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.<br /><br />The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &ldquo;Report highlights India&rsquo;s digital divide&rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.<br /><br />For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.<br /><br />Please <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true" title="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>               </font>
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-The Hindu<br />
<br />
<em>Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous<br />
</em><br />
An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.<br />
<br />
<em>Three reports<br />
</em><br />
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&rsquo;s report titled &lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&rsquo;, and the World Bank&rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.<br />
<br />
Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.<br />
<br />
The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &ldquo;Report highlights India&rsquo;s digital divide&rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.<br />
<br />
For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.<br />
<br />
Please <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true">click here</a> to read more. <br />
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-The Hindu

Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous

An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes,...',
	'disp' => '<div align="justify">-The Hindu<br /><br /><em>Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous<br /></em><br />An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.<br /><br /><em>Three reports<br /></em><br />The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&rsquo;s report titled &lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&rsquo;, and the World Bank&rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.<br /><br />Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.<br /><br />The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &ldquo;Report highlights India&rsquo;s digital divide&rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.<br /><br />For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.<br /><br />Please <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true" title="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>',
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-The Hindu<br />
<br />
<em>Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous<br />
</em><br />
An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.<br />
<br />
<em>Three reports<br />
</em><br />
The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&rsquo;s report titled &lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&rsquo;, and the World Bank&rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.<br />
<br />
Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.<br />
<br />
The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &ldquo;Report highlights India&rsquo;s digital divide&rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.<br />
<br />
For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.<br />
<br />
Please <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true">click here</a> to read more. <br />
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-The Hindu

Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous

An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes,...'
$disp = '<div align="justify">-The Hindu<br /><br /><em>Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous<br /></em><br />An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context.<br /><br /><em>Three reports<br /></em><br />The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam&rsquo;s report titled &lsquo;Reward Work, Not Wealth&rsquo;, and the World Bank&rsquo;s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms.<br /><br />Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes.<br /><br />The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children&rsquo;s schooling status. It attempts to measure children&rsquo;s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, &ldquo;Report highlights India&rsquo;s digital divide&rdquo; (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures.<br /><br />For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha&rsquo;s Khordha, Jharkhand&rsquo;s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar&rsquo;s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples.<br /><br />Please <a href="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true" title="http://www.thehindu.com/opinion/Readers-Editor/numbers-arent-neutral/article22544968.ece?homepage=true">click here</a> to read more. <br /></div>'
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Numbers aren't neutral -AS Panneerselvan

-The Hindu Analysing data without providing sufficient context is dangerous An inherent challenge in journalism is to meet deadlines without compromising on quality, while sticking to the word limit. However, brevity takes a toll when it comes to reporting on surveys, indexes, and big data. Let me examine three sets of stories which were based on surveys and carried prominently by this newspaper, to understand the limits of presenting data without providing comprehensive context. Three reports The Annual Status of Education Report (ASER), Oxfam’s report titled ‘Reward Work, Not Wealth’, and the World Bank’s ease of doing business (EoDB) rankings have been widely reported, commented on, and editorialised. In most cases, the numbers and rankings were presented as neutral evaluations; they were not seen as data originating from institutions that have political underpinnings. Data become meaningful only when the methodology of data collection is spelt out in clear terms. Every time I read surveys, indexes, and big data, I look for at least three basic parameters to understand the numbers: the sample size, the sample questionnaire, and the methodology. The sample size used indicates the robustness of the study, the questionnaire reveals whether there are leading questions, and the methodology reveals the rigour in the study. As a reporter, there were instances where I failed to mention these details in my resolve to stick to the word limit. Those were my mistakes. The ASER study covering specific districts in States is about children’s schooling status. It attempts to measure children’s abilities with regard to basic reading and writing. It is a significant study as it gives us an insight into some of the problems with our educational system. However, we must be aware of the fact that these figures are restricted only to the districts in which the survey was conducted. It cannot be extrapolated as a State-wide sample, nor is it fair to rank States based on how specific districts fare in the study. A news item, “Report highlights India’s digital divide” (Jan. 19, 2018), conflated these figures. For instance, the district surveyed in Kerala was Ernakulam, which is an urban district; in West Bengal it was South 24 Parganas, a complex district that stretches from metropolitan Kolkata to remote villages at the mouth of the Bay of Bengal. How can we compare these two districts with Odisha’s Khordha, Jharkhand’s Purbi Singhbhum and Bihar’s Muzaffarpur? It could be irresistible for a reporter, who accessed the data, to paint a larger picture based on these specific numbers. But we may not learn anything when we compare oranges and apples. Please click here to read more.