UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — A study led by Mark Ramos, assistant research professor of health policy and administration at Penn State, indicates that many adults in the U.S. believe they would use statistics more effectively if they had a better understanding of them. The research, published in PLOS One, analyzed nationally representative survey data and found that 62% of respondents reported having little or no knowledge of basic statistical concepts, while only 11% regularly use statistics in their daily lives.
Despite this knowledge gap, most respondents expressed a desire to rely on statistics for decision-making if they understood the subject better. "Understanding and evaluating the quality of evidence should be within reach of any interested citizen," Ramos stated.
Ramos noted that while statistics may seem complex, they can be grounded in intuition and rationality. He emphasized that a basic introduction to statistical concepts could enhance individuals' understanding of their own thinking.
At the 2025 Joint Statistical Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee, a market-research and survey company collected questions from attendees for a nationwide survey of a representative sample of the U.S. population. Ramos and his co-author, Samuel Anyaso-Samuel, a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health’s National Cancer Institute, contributed two questions to the survey: "How much do you understand about statistics and p-values?" and "How often would you base decisions on reported statistics if you understood it better?" The analysis of responses to these questions formed the basis of the study.
Among the 1,000 people surveyed, 25% reported no understanding of statistics, while 37% indicated limited familiarity. Slightly more than 25% stated they had learned some statistics in school. However, the majority of participants acknowledged the importance of statistics, with 90% indicating they would utilize statistics more if they had a better understanding.
Ramos highlighted the significance of statistical literacy, especially when research is referenced in news reports, social media, or policy discussions that impact people's lives. The survey specifically inquired about understanding p-values, which are used to interpret study results. Ramos explained that a smaller p-value indicates stronger statistical evidence.
"Statistics does not provide certainty," Ramos remarked. "Rather, it works with the uncertainty present in nature and society to provide a reasonable approach for making decisions. The better people understand that concept, the more they can learn when to trust or mistrust the statistical evidence they read. Taking the time and effort to learn about statistics can help a person become a more informed consumer of science."
For those interested in improving their statistical knowledge, Ramos mentioned that there are numerous free resources available, including course materials for STAT 200: Elementary Statistics offered online by Penn State, accessible even to individuals not enrolled in the course.