Publishing Quality Statistics Videos on YouTube: Analysis of Sources and Publishing Formats

This study aims to assess the content quality, presentation characteristics, and viewer engagement of YouTube videos on statistics, and to compare video quality categories based on fundamental video parameters, interaction metrics, presentation formats, and content sources.

YouTube videos were searched for on November 17, 2025, using the search terms "statistical analysis," "data analysis," "statistics," and "statistical methods." The top 50 most relevant videos for each search term were assessed; after applying exclusion criteria, 114 videos were reviewed. The Global Quality Scale was used to measure video quality, and reliability was determined using a modified DISCERN tool. Videos were divided into low-, intermediate-, and high-quality categories. Engagement metrics and presentation methods were compared among quality groups.

Eighty-seven (76.3%) of the videos were categorized as high quality. Statistically significant differences were observed among video quality groups in daily views, likes, and comments (P < 0.001 for all comparisons); these differences were attributed to the disparity between the low- and high-quality groups. Videos produced by academic institutions, nonprofit associations, and professional experts had higher percentages classified in the high-quality category (n = 1; 100%, n = 5; 83.3%, and n = 32; 80%, respectively). Presentation formats differed significantly across quality categories, with greater diversity observed in high-quality videos. Within this group, slide-based presentations accounted for 33.3%, animated content for 32.2%, and demonstration-based (software-centric) videos for 18.4% (P = 0.020).

A substantial proportion of YouTube videos on statistics were rated high quality, and significant differences were observed in engagement metrics across quality groups. The quality distribution varied by video source and presentation format. These findings emphasize the need for educators and content developers to integrate accurate statistical content with engaging presentation formats to improve the educational value of YouTube videos.