A researcher wished to gauge public opinion on gun control. He randomly selected 1000 people from amongst all registered voters and asked them the following question: "Do you believe that gun control laws which restrict the ability of Americans to protect their families should be eliminated?". Identify the abuse of statistics.
The abuse of statistics in this scenario lies in the phrasing of the question. The question assumes a particular stance on gun control laws by suggesting that they restrict the ability of Americans to protect their families. This loaded phrasing can bias the respondents and lead to a skewed representation of public opinion. It presents a one-sided view and does not consider alternative perspectives or potential benefits of gun control laws. Consequently, the results obtained from this question may not accurately reflect the true public opinion on gun control.
