The Numbers Guy

Waiting for Comprehensive Waiting-Time Stats

Carl Bialik — Sat, 26 May 2012 00:12:19 +0000

There are many ways to measure how long patients must wait to get medical care, and health-care providers haven't agreed on the best way -- making it tough to track their own progress and to compare themselves with others.

Exit Costs

Carl Bialik — Sat, 19 May 2012 02:15:03 +0000

Though various estimates for the potential cost of a Greek exit from the euro have been reported, economists call such calculations speculative. And many are incomplete -- omitting, for example, the costs of alternatives to a Greek exit.

The Waiting Game

Carl Bialik — Sat, 05 May 2012 02:34:13 +0000

Long lines at airport immigration halls are objects of frustration for travelers, and of study for queuing experts who offer ideas for easing the pain.

The Fire Countdown Clock

Carl Bialik — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 02:01:34 +0000

How long does it take for fire departments to get on the scene at a fire emergency? The question is surprisingly difficult to answer, obscured by complexities in definitions and measurement.

Cruise Safety, a Century After Titanic

Carl Bialik — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 00:09:08 +0000

Without comprehensive safety statistics for today's cruise ships, it is difficult to assess the industry's claim that its ships are safer than most other means of transportation.

Modern Thermometers

Carl Bialik — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 01:39:52 +0000

Temperature alone can't say how warm people will feel outside. Scientists are taking on the challenge of formulating a new way to measure climate comfort.

Imagining a Census Survey Without a Mandate

Carl Bialik — Sat, 31 Mar 2012 02:07:48 +0000

It is mandatory for recipients of the Census Bureau's American Community Survey to respond to it. A House Bill would change that. How would that affect the crucial data produced by the survey?

The Risk Numbers

Carl Bialik — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 00:37:29 +0000

Relative risk and absolute risk reduction each convey different impressions of how risky certain behavior or situations are. Statisticians advise using both whenever possible.

Law-School Jobs Data Under Review

Carl Bialik — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 01:29:00 +0000

Lawsuits and criticism have pushed law schools to re-examine how they collect and report data about their graduates' success in the job market.

A Measure of Understanding

Carl Bialik — Sat, 10 Mar 2012 01:16:48 +0000

Do Americans understand grams and milligrams on their nutrition labels? And if not, is it worth jettisoning the metric system from them to increase comprehension and encourage healthy choices?