Lies, Damned Lies, and the Inability to Understand Statistics
Let’s say you were writing up the following poll results:
As we enter the presidential election year of 2012, what potential news event do you fear the most?
President Obama wins reelection 33%
Taxes will increase 31%
Iran will get a nuclear weapon 16%
Obama will lose reelection 16%
North Korea will attack South Korea 4%
Would you make the headline Poll: Americans, 2-1, Fear Obama’s Reelection? If so, I have bad news. You’re not very bright. The good new is that it does qualify you for a job at US News.
