Reading the Data
Flood maps, temperature records, food price indices. Learn to read them and question them. Catch a misleading chart before it catches you.
Start Lesson 01Course outline
- 01
How to read a chart
Axes, baselines, scales. The three tricks that make bad charts look scary or safe.
Read - 02
Flood maps and what they hide
Reading risk maps of Lagos. Who is on them and who was left off.
Read - 03
Temperature records
Where the numbers come from and how we know they are real.
Read - 04
Food price data
Tracking inflation like a journalist. Sources you can check yourself.
Read - 05
Spotting bad statistics
A field guide to cherry-picking, fake baselines and viral nonsense.
Read
What you leave with
You can read a climate chart, check its source, and spot when someone is lying with numbers.
- Climate Knowledge Portal: NigeriaWorld Bank ↗
Nigeria's full temperature and rainfall record. Lesson 3's homework lives here.
- CPI and Inflation ReportsNBS ↗
The monthly food inflation source from lesson 4. Check it yourself.
- Data ExplorerOur World in Data ↗
Chart CO2 and temperature in your browser. Practice the lesson 1 checklist.
- Calling BullshitUniversity of Washington ↗
A whole course on spotting bad statistics. Lesson 5, extended edition.