The Society recognises statistical excellence in journalism through its awards each year. Awards are made to those who question, analyse and investigate the issues that affect society through statistics.

The 2011 awards recognise work published in the period 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2010.
 

Work published in print - winner

Mark Henderson, The Times, for his article "Genetic testing companies admit: our risk assessments are confusing".

The judges were impressed by the way in which Mark had dissected the statistical issues involved, thereby establishing the reasons for differences in risk, and the clarity with which he had explained the issues, particularly around relative and absolute risk. They further commended how his investigation had seen the companies involved changing the way they presented and explained the information they gave to customers.
 

Work published in print - special commendation

Sarah Boseley (working with Rob Evans and Gozde Zorlu), The Guardian, for her joint articles, "Huge disparity in NHS death rates revealed" and "Safety in numbers for hospital patients, research shows".

The judges wished to commend the extensive work done in collecting and then analysing the data, and the clarity of the reporting on a matter of great public interest.
 

Work published online - inaugural winner

Anthony Reuben, BBC, for "Spending Review: Making sense of the data".

The judges felt that this entry had been effective in simplifying and interpreting complex data, on an issue of extensive public interest and impact.
 

Work broadcast on radio or television - winner

Cathy Newman, Channel 4, for "Fact Check on Gordon Brown's Defence Spend Claims".

The judges felt that the broadcast had ‘high value’ as journalism, and that this had been reinforced by an effective dissection of the statistical information and arguments involved, and been presented to a potentially large audience in easily understood ways.
 

Work broadcast on radio or television - two special commendations

1) Neil Gallacher, BBC South West, for a sequence of reports on unemployment in the south west region

The judges recognised the challenges faced in extracting regional and sub-regional figures from statistics largely published at the national level, and then preparing and delivering a report all within three hours from publication to broadcast. In addition they welcomed his additional discussion of factors, such as seasonal variation, causing the figures to vary month on month.

2) Radio 4's More or Less broadcast on Hospital Standardised Mortality Ratios (HSMRs)

The judges felt that they had explained the HSMRs and their use effectively and accessibly, and that the range of points made worked well as an overall discussion of an important, but potentially confusing, issue. It is notable that this is the second year running that More or Less have been recognised in these awards, having been the winner in the broadcast category last year.