Is it true that 78% of all statistics are all made up?

Question

I read somewhere that 78% of all statistics are all made up.

I mean, I heard it, so it must be true.

Right?

Answer 1

yes. The U.S media believes they manipulate us with fake statics. Let them be

Answer 2

I think that you have to consider the source and the method by which the data point was ascertained, and consider how you define "statistic."

For example, with regard to the economy and incomes, various Federal Reserve offices have conducted studies or surveys of studies conducted by professional and academic economists, and the Census Bureau and Department of Labor employ career statisticians. Many of the surveys are repeated on a recurring basis - if there were significant errors, their figure would fluctuate wildly from report to report, but it doesn't. So, take "unemployment" for an example - unemployment really is unemployment and it really is 4.6%.

And some people just pull numbers out of their rears and throw them out there.

So if this or that "institute" just spits out a number or cites a "report" by a political appointee like Robert Reich, you can take it with a grain of salt, but if this or that "institute" doesn't say "the number is X" but rather "according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics the number is X" and has a cite and if you check the cite it's accurate and not out of context, you're OK.

I've found Cato to be exceptional in this regard. I came across Cato when I was on the exact opposite side of the argument and I used to dismiss them out of hand - on the first read I thought their "Real Reagan Record" paper was kind of pithy, but I am a big fan of intellectual rigor and I checked the cites behind it and I was blown away - - now maybe they should just re-publish the Federal Reserve papers and leave it at that, but they were very accurate and never overstated their case - in fact they understated it in a few key instances.

Answer 3

surely, it fairly is not genuine. what's genuine is that the translation of learn may well be manipulated to tutor what's wanted. as an occasion, a assertion could be made claiming that 4 out of 5 medical doctors surveyed cautioned a particular medicine. it fairly is genuine. even however, what isn't mentioned is that purely 5 medical doctors have been surveyed, and four of them are employed by potential of the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the medicine in question. In different words, statistical comments may well be made to cutting-edge especially much any effect. that's what isn't mentioned it fairly is considerable!

Answer 4

All stats can be manipulated depending on what you want the results to reflect....so it's not hard to believe that a major % are skewed!

Take a look at this.....
The purpose of this handout is to help you use statistics to make your argument as effectively as possible.
http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/statistics.html

Answer 5

I did statistics for years, and yes they can be manipulated very easily. But as to your question, it depends on the subject and how the results were derived as to their validity.

Answer 6

I agree whole-heartedly. It'll now stand as true until someone hunts down an actual stat, in which case we can either bash the source, bash the messenger, or ignore it completely!

Answer 7

78% of statistical interpretations, perhaps...

Answer 8

4 out of 5 dentists agree

Answer 9

Yes.

And, amazingly, 32.7% of made up statistics are 97.3% correct.

Answer 10

No i think its closer to 50%.
i as told long ago," believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see."