People use data and statistics to help them make important policy decisions, to identify problems in an organization, and to predict outcomes. However, data is subject to interpretation and may be affected by outside factors.

Think about the many statistical scores or rankings you receive in school, such as GPA, SAT and ACT scores, test scores, and class ranking. Describe the usefulness and limitations of these pieces of data in defining who you are as a person or as a student. In what ways do they help give a clear picture? What are they not conveying?