Poor mathematics skills are being blamed for the spread of misinformation and ‘fake news’ during the pandemic. 

Researchers say people may have inadvertently spread misinformation in the early stages of COVID-19 due to a lack of understanding about statistics and data.

A study has identified nine ways mathematics and statistics were used in the media during the pandemic, including models, predictions, casualties and risk.

Australian Catholic University professor Vincent Geiger says students need to be better taught about how to critically interpret statistics so they’re better equipped as adults.

“Mathematics and statistics were used in the media like almost never before over COVID-19,” Dr Geiger said.

“There was the use of new terms no one had ever heard about before and I don’t know if they were really clearly explained, like reproduction number.

“Did people understand that predictions changed because of an increase in the amount of data and its quality, not because conditions were necessarily changing?”

He said schools need to do more to help students scrutinise the credibility of sources to prevent them more readily accepting ‘fake news’ in adulthood.

Image: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images