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Data literacy

Medians, samples, sources, calculations and why unknown is a valid answer.

7 guides

Medians
A median is the middle sale in a sample. Mix and sample size move it without anyone getting richer.
Why median property prices can be misleading
A median is the middle sale in a dated set. Mix and sample move it. One numeric mix-shift. Not a property value.
Three labels
Source data, Districts calculation, Districts-derived. Unknown is a fourth, honest result.
Facts, calculations and unknown data: how to read a Districts figure
Three labels on a Districts figure: source data, calculation, derived. Unknown is a fourth state, not a blank.
Unknown
A blank field means not established from the available sources. It does not mean “no”.
Why Districts shows unknown data
Unknown means no source for that slot. Three product examples. Not zero, not clear, not a fail.
Source
Who published it, for which area, which period, which dwellings, and how many sales.
How to check the source of a property statistic
Five questions for any figure. One forensic pair where both numbers are correct and still not comparable.
Association
Two series that move together are not a reason. The usual confounder is mix, rate, or a zone change.
Correlation vs causation in property research
Two series moving together is a prompt. Rail, school and population cases. Not a cause.
Research ≠ advice
A labelled yield is arithmetic. Whether it is enough is a conversation with a licensed adviser.
How to use property data without treating it as advice
Research describes the evidence. Advice tells you what to do. Districts does the first. Keep them apart.
Coverage ≠ score
6 of 10 completed means four checks had no usable source. It does not mean 6 out of 10 on the house.
Why research coverage is not a property score
Six of ten means six sources existed. Property A versus Property B is often a publishing difference, not a lot difference.