Supervisor urges better data literacy for board decisions; Forward Analytics material presented

Supervisor Hancock Cook presented an adapted Forward Analytics briefing on data literacy to the Winnebago County Board, emphasizing practical checks for evaluating charts and reports used in county decisionmaking.

Hancock Cook walked the board through examples of misleading graphic design — notably a truncated y-axis and unlabeled scales — and showed how using absolute values, readable axes and confidence intervals (error bars) gives a clearer picture. She stressed that sample size and method matter and that percentage values should always include their denominators so decisionmakers can judge the reliability of results.

Why it matters: Supervisors rely on third-party reports, consultant slides and internal analyses when setting policy. Hancock Cook urged the board to ask who paid for the data, what hypothesis was tested, whether samples are representative and whether secondary analysis was peer reviewed. She directed supervisors to county Health & Human Services data staff as a resource for technical questions.

The presentation covered key practical points: show axes and absolute values, display confidence intervals to indicate statistical significance, avoid conflating correlation with causation, collect a hypothesis before sampling, and include source citations so reviewers can check original data. Hancock Cook also noted Forward Analytics’ role in the county-association materials and said that Kevin Doskoy has taken over leadership of that analytic team.

Audience members thanked Hancock Cook; advisers and supervisors noted the value of applying the guidance when evaluating county reports. The session closed without formal action; attendees were encouraged to bring data questions to county data staff.

Ending: The board adjourned after the presentation and brief Q&A. The presentation materials will be available on request from the presenter or county staff.