Statistical literacy is no longer a luxury; it is a necessity. A saying commonly attributed to W. Edwards Demming, the primary pioneer of quality control, proclaims, "In God we trust; others must have data." Numbers permeate society and are constantly referred to in political dialogue. Those with credentials that label them experts are free to expound on numbers without fear of challenge.
Numbers are taken for granted in a society that is innumerate. The recommended daily allowance of vitamins (RDA) is a measuring stick for virtually every food; yet almost no one knows how that measuring stick was developed--including medical professionals. There are many other examples of numbers taken for granted. Why is it "bad" to have a cholesterol level above 200? Why is 200 the magic number? Is menopause a deficiency disease to be aggressively treated by medication? Is the whole-language philosophy of teaching reading effective? Unless people can investigate questions for themselves, they are unable to make independent judgments. Yet our lives can be at stake based on the numerical calculations and conclusions of experts.