Comments on: Truth In Numbers: How Statistics Can Mislead

By: Jim

Jim — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:41:46 +0000

It was an interesting piece, however I don’t believe that the use of misleading statistics is confined to the medical profession.
The Government and many publc advocacy groups also rely on misleading statistics to advance a particular agenda.
I myself have never taken a course in statistics so when I read any particular statistical analysis my grasp of the information and methodology utilized is minimal.
That being said, one thing I do believe is even the Statisticians will manipulate numbers so as to achieve a pre-ordained outcome.
What was the saying: “Lies, Damned Lies, and Statistics.”

By: Doug Bremner MD

Doug Bremner MD — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 21:26:50 +0000

Absolutely. Relative risk is used by marketing and can be very misleading. A discussion on this blog a few months ago showed that the reps had a much better understanding of the difference betweeen relative and absolute risk than the MDs did. This is an excellent reason why statistics and clinical study methodology should be a requirement in med school.

By: Justice in MI

Justice in MI — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:50:32 +0000

A useful piece - I will use it in an upcoming course.