Chapter 2.10, Problem 2.136ACI

Volkswagen emissions scandal. Refer to the Significance (December 2015) study on estimating the number of U.S, deaths attributable to nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution produced from illegal VW vehicles, Exercise 2.82 (p. 87). Recall that the researchers computed the estimate for each of 27 different scenarios involving different values of three variables: total distance (in miles) driven by these illegal VW vehicles, the amount by which the VW vehicles exceeded the EPA standard for NOx, and the estimated association between NOx emissions and mortality. Summary statistics for the estimated number of deaths are shown in the accompanying Minitab printout. Suppose the media have requested that the researchers provide a single statistic that best represents the center of the distribution of estimated deaths attributable to NOx pollution produced from the il legal VW vehicles. This statistic will be used to publicize the study findings.

1. a. If you work for Volkswagen and would like to diffuse the media's reaction to the emissions scandal, which statistic would you choose to report and why?
2. b. If you support an environmental watch group and would like to incite the media to publicize the emissions scandal, which statistic would you choose to report and why?