GUIDE: Data and stats (how to)
The Stat Bible is a convenient, centralized resource of validated and legally approved statistics to be used in content and marketing efforts, as well as other appropriate uses by CoverMyMeds business units. Here is a link to the Stat Bible.
What's included?
- Abridged: ~25 legally approved statistics from CoverMyMeds data for use by CMM employees
- Unabridged: A more comprehensive Stat Bible lives behind closed doors. Reach out to Justin: Email: jmcintosh@covermymeds.com
Why does this exist?
- Using data in marketing efforts can be intimidating and risky
- This project provides a one-stop shop for relevant CMM statistics
How will this be used?
- Help with onboarding new employees/contractors by providing directionally important data
- Create content-citation efficiencies and accuracy
- Ensure proper context with stats
- Enhance brand credibility
- Create legal-review efficiencies
FAQ CITATION GUIDE
What is a citation?
Citations are simply a way to tell readers that certain material in your work or publication came from another source. In this instance, “another source” could be from external sources, like a third party outside of CoverMyMeds, or from internal sources, like a different CoverMyMeds work.
Ultimately, citations give your readers the information necessary to find that source again.
The basic rule when listing sources used is that references must be accurate, complete and should be consistently applied.
When should I cite something?
Generally, anytime you’re using a statistic or piece of data in a written or otherwise “published” material, you need to tell readers where you’re getting that information, even if it’s a CoverMyMeds source. By published, we simply mean it’s being documented and shared, especially among external audiences.
You should also cite your data each time it’s used in a single publication.
Plagiarism.org suggests citing your sources “whenever you borrow words or ideas.” The following situations almost always require citation:
- whenever you use quotes
- whenever you paraphrase
- whenever you use an idea that someone else has already expressed
- whenever you make specific reference to the work of another
- whenever someone else's work has been critical in developing your own ideas.
Why should I cite my sources, especially CoverMyMeds’ sources?
We live in a world of “fake news” and public distrust in authoritative entities from politicians to news to companies. Citing our sources lends credibility to what we’re saying. By citing our own data, it also reinforces our company’s position of authority in the marketplace.
But there are also other reasons for citing sources. According to Plagiarism.org, “giving credit to the original author by citing sources is the only way to use other people's work without plagiarizing. But there are a number of other reasons to cite sources:
- citations are extremely helpful to anyone who wants to find out more about your ideas and where they came from
- not all sources are good or right -- your own ideas may often be more accurate or interesting than those of your sources. Proper citation will keep you from taking the rap for someone else's bad ideas
- citing sources shows the amount of research you've done
- citing sources strengthens your work by lending outside support to your ideas”
Should I cite third-party sources differently than CoverMyMeds sources?
Yes! For third-party sources, we must first check with the source's Terms & Conditions or Terms of Use to ensure their copyright allows us to cite and link to them. Once we've confirmed that we can use the information, download a PDF of the Terms and upload to WorkFront for legal's reference.
Doesn't citing make my work seem less original?
Nope! Citing sources actually helps readers distinguish your ideas from others, thereby emphasizing the originality of your work.
How should I cite data I’m using in a written format (e.g., decks, case studies, white papers)?
To notify readers you have a source for the information, you’re claiming, use either
- A number in brackets, like this: [1]
- Or a number superscript, like this1
Our format for citing sources in footnotes, whether internal or external:
- “Name of Report or Paper,” Name of Publication, Date of Publication.
In practice, that looks like this: “2021 Medication Report,” CoverMyMeds, Feb. 2, 2021
- Or: “Patient Access Challenge Trends for 2021,” Forbes, Jan. 23, 2021
Hyperlink your citation with the URL for the original source (when possible)
GENERAL WRITING TIPS FOR DATA
- When performing data analysis and conveying conclusions, strive for accuracy and simplicity. Do not obfuscate analysis with technical terms or overstate conclusions.
- A number alone does not signify much. It must be compared against something (a previous year's figure, measures from other places, a benchmark or goal, etc.). Make sure your comparison is weighing two similar types of values and that units of measurement and means of collecting the data are similar. When reporting numbers, provide the comparison for context: About 40% of male students passed the test compared to 55% of female students.
- Per capita and related calculations allow you to compare values among groups of different sizes. Per capita values are calculated by dividing the value of interest by the population of interest. For larger populations, calculating the rate per 10,000 may be more instructive.
- Rankings should include raw numbers to provide a sense of relative importance. When comparing dollar amounts across time, be sure to adjust for inflation or seasonal adjustment
- Data should reflect the appropriate population for the topic: For example, use voting-age population as a base for stories on demographic voting patterns.
- Actual change: When measuring actual change over time, subtract the older number from the newer number. However, this raw measure of difference may not be the best way to convey change to the reader. For example, if a town's budget went up $200 million from one year to the next, that may not tell much.
- Percent change: Percent change describes the relative change of the new number from the old number. To calculate percent change, take the actual change, divide by the old number and multiply by 100. If that same town had a budget last year of $1.5 billion, an increase of $200 million would represent around a 13 percent change. This number can then be compared to other towns or other years.
- Percentage point change: Do not confuse percent change and percentage point change. A change from 10% to 13% is a rise of 3 percentage points. This is not equal to a 3% change.
- Avoid percentage and percent change comparisons from a small base. Use the raw numbers in these cases.
- Data visualization should be both compelling and nondeceptive. Published visuals must serve a concrete narrative purpose and present data in a straightforward and clear fashion. Visuals used for analysis must be checked carefully to make sure they accurately represent the underlying data.
- A visual experience should require as little external explanation or background knowledge as possible. Avoid creating both low-information graphics and graphics that are so complex that they require detailed explanation.
- Bar charts should set the baseline of the y-axis at zero. The y-axis of a line chart should fall within the normal expectations. For example, gas prices tend to range between $1.50 and $4 per gallon. A line chart visualizing these prices could have a y-axis stretching from $1 to $4 in increments of $1. In all cases, clearly indicate the scale of both axes.
- Remove outliers from the visualization only with extremely good justification (e.g. a known data entry error).
- Circles and other 2D shapes used in visualization should be scaled using their area, rather than the radius or side length.
- Don't involve 3D elements unnecessarily. Perspective can distort the visualization.