InScience on Tour: Spreadsheet Champions

Statistics is often viewed as boring and complicated, but aren't we simply too little of it? Statistician Don van Ravenzwaaij discusses why knowledge of numbers and data has a ‘stuffy’ image, even though it is of crucial importance in various sectors. He offers an insight into how complicated spreadsheets are translated into practice and reveals just how dependent we are on statistics for everyday applications.

Don van Ravenzwaaij is Professor of Psychometrics and Statistics. He researches how scientists use statistical methods to analyze data. In doing so, he pays particular attention to the discrepancy between what they want to conclude and what they can conclude. In other words: does the method match the analysis? He develops methods that can help scientists with their analysis (to bridge that gap), but he also teaches scientists the correct use of statistical methods.

InScience International Science Film Festival Nijmegen is one of the largest science film festivals in Europe. The program consists of an overview of the best science films of the year. InScience takes place every spring in Nijmegen, but the festival also tours the country with the best films from the previous edition. This year, too, the Forum has a full InScience On Tour program featuring the three top films. After each screening, scientists and the audience engage in discussion to share new insights.