Imagine that the label on a sunscreen product reads, “Recommended by
nine out of ten doctors.” No other information regarding this claim is provided. Why would
a scientist tell a consumer to be wary of this statistical claim?
A. Sunscreen products are ineffective.
B. The supporting scientific data are missing.
C. The claim cannot be confirmed or refuted.
D. The claim cannot be reevaluated when new information emerges
I think it is B. Thanks!
I agree.
I remember when 9 out of 10 doctors supported smoking cigarettes, according to the ads.
Thank you Ms. Sue!
You're welcome, Joel.
It could be c.
You're on the right track! The answer is indeed B. The scientist would warn consumers to be wary of the statistical claim because the supporting scientific data are missing.
When evaluating a statistical claim like "Recommended by nine out of ten doctors," it is important to have access to the underlying scientific data. Without this data, it is difficult to determine the validity and reliability of the claim.
In this case, the label provides no information about the basis for the claim. Were there legitimate studies conducted to support this claim? How many doctors were included in the survey? What were the qualifications and expertise of these doctors? What were the specific findings and conclusions?
Without these details, it is impossible to evaluate the claim accurately. Hence, a scientist would advise consumers to exercise caution and be skeptical of such a statistical claim without supporting scientific data.
It's always important to critically analyze any claims and seek out complete information to make informed decisions.