Statistics Lie

1.) An example of a problematic statistical claim that has been made in some advertising.
a. What was the claim? (If possible, provide the text or a link to the ad. If video, describe
in detail.)
b. If you assume that the stated statistic is true, in what ways are the conclusions they
reach about the data problematic?
c. Explain how the data should have been stated to be either more compelling or more
accurate.
2.) An example of a problematic statistical claim that has been made in some news article.
a. What was the claim? (If possible, provide the text or a link to the article. If video, describe in detail.)
b. If you assume that the stated statistic is true, in what ways are the conclusions they reach about the data problematic?
c. Explain how the data should have been stated to be either more compelling or more accurate.
3.) An example of a “good” statistic used in an advertisement or news article. (This may be tough to find.) Explain why the data is complete and why the interpretation of the data was done appropriately.