Why Health Professionals Should Speak Out Against False Beliefs on the Data dredging is a self-serving technique often employed for the unethical purpose of circumventing traditional data mining techniques, in order to seek additional conclusions that do not exist. Consider headlines and images that inform rather than shock or provoke. In the field of healthcare, statistics is important for the following reasons: Reason 1: Statistics allows healthcare professionals to monitor the health of individuals using descriptive statistics.. Reason 2: Statistics allows healthcare professionals to quantify the relationship between . In critical scenarios such as a global pandemic, this becomes even more important as misinformation can lead to a higher spread and more deaths. Prioritize early detection of misinformation super-spreaders and repeat offenders. If you see this graph, you would obviously think the UKs national debt is higher than ever. Making this a clear example of how the time period that we chose to portray can significantly change the way people will perceive the information. The Surgeon Generals Community Toolkit for Addressing Health Misinformation provides specific guidance and resources for health care providers, educators, librarians, faith leaders, and trusted community members to understand, identify, and stop the spread of health misinformation in their communities. After a discussion, and a conclusion that attempts to make a generalized claim beyond the data (i.e., an inference; also a seventh-grade standard), the adjusted plot (Figure 2) could be shared with questions such as: Does the conclusion still hold when the plot is adjusted to accurately depict the two situations? Here Are the Most Misleading Product Claims | Time While initially, the trend was going towards choosing option A, when grouping surviving patients considering other variables the trend changed to option B. We also discuss the possible source/motivations behind such (mis)representation of the data. There is also the broader context here, which is counties with mask mandates are oftentimes counties that are more densely populated and are seeing larger numbers of cases prompting them to take action. Absent these elements, visual data representations should be viewed with a grain of salt, taking into account the common data visualization mistakes one can make. Is the language being used objective and formal? Now, if we take a closer look at this chart we can find a few mistakes that make the information very misleading. These are the fake health news that went viral in 2019 Considering the vast differences between, say, mice and elephants, it can be hard to fit 3 ounces and a ton on the same graph. The plot compared the number of COVID-19 cases over time for counties in Kansas that had mask mandates versus those that did not. Especially people with a low graph literacy are thought to be persuaded by graphs that misrepresent the underlying data. For instance, showing a value for 3 months can show radically different trends than showing it over a year. This video can be used for educational and training purposes. About eight-in-ten U.S. murders in 2021 - 20,958 out of 26,031, or 81% - involved a firearm. Misleading Statistics - Real World Examples For Misuse of Data Statistics presented without context should be viewed critically. The chart points appear to indicate that 327,000 abortions are greater in inherent value than 935,573 cancer screenings. The graph was later republished with organized dates and counties. Christopher Engledowl & Travis Weiland wrote an insightful article called Data (Mis)representation and COVID-19: Leveraging Misleading Data Visualizations For Developing Statistical Literacy Across Grades 616. This misleading data example is also referred to as data dredging (and related to flawed correlations). We start by showing a less obvious example of how having statistical literacy, including an understanding of the art of data visualization, can cause speculation about (mis)representations of data. No one buys a magazine where it states that next year, the same thing is going to happen in XYZ market as this year even though it is true. They sure can. Editors, clients, and people want something new, not something they know; thats why we often end up with an amplification phenomenon that gets echoed and more than it should. Although in 2007 the company was forced to pay a $600 million fine for its criminal actions, the consequences of this are still seen to date. 10 Bogus -- And Widely Believed -- Statistics - Seeker Ioannidis JP. Strengthen and scale the use of evidence-based educational programs that build resilience to misinformation. The Challenges of Cancer Misinformation on Social Media - NCI Using a clearly defined scale, here is what the information looks like: Once placed within a clearly defined scale, it becomes evident that while the amount of cancer screenings has in fact decreased, it still far outnumbers the amount of abortion procedures performed yearly. Remember, misuse of statistics can be accidental or purposeful. 1. The graph shows the growth of COVID-19 cases from March 5 to March 31. Drinking tea increases diabetes by 50%, and baldness raises the cardiovascular disease risk up to 70%! For example, if an urban planner sees that population growth in a certain part of the city is increasing at an exponential rate compared to other . First of all, this plot was created for use by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and it was showcased during an August 5 press conference (video is available here on their Facebook page), and then this plot and the description of what it means was picked up and amplified by multiple news media organizations. By closing this message, you are consenting to our use of cookies. Average monthly temperature in New Haven, CT. After showing this plot to students, some useful questions could be: Fig. The top 10 most-shared articles that were reviewed by clinicians and scientists for accuracy were: Surgeon General Our Priorities Health Misinformation Health Misinformation With the abundance of health information available today, it can be hard to tell what is true or not. However, at the time this graph was published, many media publications interpreted the graph as if the deaths dropped, showing how damaging the misuse of graphs and numbers can be. Overloading readers with data 9. We defined health misinformation as a health-related claim that is based on anecdotal evidence, false, or misleading . should be built in a certain area based on population growth patterns. (labels are clear, axes begin at 0, right chart type, etc) Is the research represented honestly and in an impartial manner? However, the telling of half-truths through study is not only limited to mathematical amateurs. They provide great insight, often more so than the answers. What would your conclusion be about the importance of a mask mandate? Seasonal flu, meanwhile, only kills around 0.1%. Businesses and analysts are exposed to making biases when a single person is doing an entire analysis. It is, therefore, argued by global warming opponents that, as there was a 0.1-degree decrease in the global mean temperature over a 14-year period, global warming is disproved. 2005;2 (8):e124. Did you know that with a free Taylor & Francis Online account you can gain access to the following benefits? Ebola, for example, kills 50% of the people it infects on average, which is why the doctors who treat it wear hazmat suits. The growing number of places people go to for information has made it easier for misinformation to spread at a never-before-seen speed and scale. Content. Collecting data from too small a group can skew your survey and test results. Omitting the baseline. Reuters / Via reddit.com 2. When the Georgia Department of Public Health posted this plot (see Figure 3), it went viral because of what may have been intentional data manipulation. The most common ways statistics are misused, besides misinterpretation, are the following: faulty polling, flawed correlations, misleading data visuals, selective bias and small sample size (Lebeid 2018). An example of misleading statistics is when determining whether to take a medical test for a rare but serious disease like spina bifida. As we can see, the X axes here start from 590 instead of zero. As an exercise in due diligence, we will review some of the most common forms of misuse of statistics, and various alarming (and sadly, common) misleading statistics examples from public life. Learn how to identify and avoid sharing health misinformation. We will discuss this specific case in more detail later in the post. It was this unethical and misleading graph, which was also FDA approved, that helped in initiating one of the biggest health crises in the US, opioid addiction. Sometimes, it is better to just make a simple bar or even a table with a couple of columns so that something like this won't happen. You can see the updated version below. Proactively address information deficits. Datasets are analyzed in ad hoc and exploratory ways. As we mentioned earlier, the sample size is of utmost importance when it comes to deciding the worth of a study or its results. Three Misleading, Dangerous Coronavirus Statistics Provide training and resources for grantees working in communities disproportionately affected by misinformation (e.g., areas with lower vaccine confidence). What is a conclusion you could draw from this plot that would be more accurate (i.e., pushing them to consider association or correlation concepts)? But, what about causation? Yet, as we learned from the Argentinian graph, looks can deceive. Manipulating the Y-axis+ 6. This is not to say that there is no proper use of data mining, as it can in fact lead to surprise outliers and interesting analyses. If you really want to make a shocking statement, make sure you only include part of the data. For example, are visualizations representing the data accurately? Now that weve put the misuse of statistics in context, lets look at various digital age examples of statistics that are misleading across five distinct, but related, spectrums: media and politics, news, advertising, science, and healthcare. Independent university study group, lab-affiliated research team, consulting company? The below graph is the one most often referenced to disprove global warming. Some misleading online posts are difficult to spot because they contain both good and bad medical advice. I have mentioned the most common mistakes that can lead to misleading or misuse of statistics. Lets look at one of them closely. Broad dissemination and consumption of false or misleading health information, amplified by the internet, poses risks to public health and problems for both the health care enterprise and the government. 2 Steven Strogatzs Twitter comment to show a recreation of a plot showing the number of daily cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 in the population of Kansas. Learn everything there is to know about the power of professional area charts. Provide the public with context to avoid skewing their perceptions about ongoing debates on health topics. If youre not sure, dont share. Using the wrong graph 7. Bad Infographics: The Worst Infographics of 2020 - Venngage What is a conclusion you could draw from this plot that would not make much sense (i.e., pushing them to make the causation error)? That said, a bigger sample size is always better, as it highlights statistical differences more accurately. In 2012, the global mean temperature was measured at 58.2 degrees. When Research Evidence is Misleading. The time 7 million was 5x more than 6 million. How inclusive was it? As a result, the lack of statistical literacy among the general public, as well as organizations that have a responsibility to share accurate, clear, and timely information with the general public, has resulted in widespread (mis)representations and (mis)interpretations. This a sad representation of how dangerous misinformation can be. Misleading Statistics in Healthcare - E Phlebotomy Training Omitting data 10. . The above graph/chart was presented as a point of emphasis. Misleading Data Visualization Examples 1. If you follow all the steps mentioned above, you should be able to make a clear analysis and correct use of data. Move with urgency toward coordinated, at-scale investment to tackle misinformation. A first good thing would be, of course, to stand in front of an honest survey/experiment/research pick the one you have beneath your eyes , that has applied the correct techniques of collection and interpretation of data. However, more often than not, data dredging is used to assume the existence of relationships without further study. The below chart expresses the 30-year change in global mean temperatures. Insightful graphs and charts include a very basic, but essential, grouping of elements. Verify the accuracy of information by checking with trustworthy and credible sources. By Bernardita Calzon in Data Analysis, Jan 6th 2023, 3) Misleading Statistics Examples In Real Life. Therefore, using the first graph, and only the first graph, to disprove global warming is a perfect misleading statistics example. Intermediate data points should also be identified and context is given if it would add value to the information presented. If you still want to use the data to make a point, you can make sure to mention the small sample size as a disclaimer. The Misuse of Statistics in Politics: Abortion | YIP Institute 1) Misleading Data Visualization Examples 2) How to Avoid Misleading Visuals 3) The Impact Of Bad Data Visualizations Nobody likes feeling manipulated in any way, shape, or form. Why did the first plot look so different? Moreover, in both the Pre-K12 and College Report of the Guidelines for Assessment and Instruction in Statistics Education documents (Bargagliotti etal. Together, we have the power to build a healthier information environment. Basically, there is no problem pro se - but there can be. This rare disease causes the spine of a baby to form improperly and can lead to serious mobility impairments and possible organ malfunctions. Purposeful bias is the deliberate attempt to influence findings without even feigning professional accountability. Misleading statistics refers to the misuse of numerical data either intentionally or by error. Many seem wilfully false, created out of, say, a journalist's desire to create a sensation, a government's need to make a political point or an aid agency's wish for more funds. It further appears to indicate that counties with no mask mandate have seen relatively no change in number of daily cases. Much like abortion, global warming is another politically charged topic that is likely to arouse emotions. We all need access to trusted sources of information to stay safe and healthy. Here are five techniques for fudging the numbers with misleading statistics examples: Technique #1: Citing Misleading "Averages" The first technique is using the word "average" without specifying what kind of average a figure represents. The Worst Covid-19 Misleading Graphs - DataScienceCentral.com Statistics can tell us about trends that are. Spain and Italy have large populations, but enormous. More recently, other studies led by Dr. Loeb found similarly misleading information about prostate cancer on TikTok and Instagram. Misuse of statistics often happens in advertisements, politics, news, media, and others. This is with the same aim of making it seem like the cases are dropping. Instead, we see the dates between April and May interspersed with the aim of making viewers of this graph believe that the cases are gradually decreasing. Consider the following steps to determine if information is accurate: For more information on common types of health misinformation sources, check out our Health Misinformation Community Toolkit. As you saw throughout this post, illustrated with some insightful bad statistics examples, using data in a misleading way is very easy. What did the scientist or statisticians try to figure out? This is reported by the makers of Fosamax accurately as a 56% reduction in risk, which is true but misleading. This makes it appear that KFCs wrap has half the calories as the ones from Taco Bell, Burger King, or Wendys when is actually just 70 calories less. Prioritize protecting health professionals and journalists from online harassment. Depending on the measure, data can be collected from different sources, including medical records, patient surveys, and administrative databases used to pay bills or to manage care. Although researchers have decried the need for statistical literacy among students and society for decades (Wallman Citation1993; Gal Citation2002; Bargagliotti etal. The Govenor race where one guy's 37% was WAY more than just 37% gravismarketing.com / Via reddit.com 4. Here is a guide from the CDC on the myths and facts about COVID-19 vaccination. The next of our most common examples for misuse of statistics and misleading data is, perhaps, the most serious. In this article, we showcase examples of how data related to the COVID-19 pandemic has been (mis)represented in the media and by governmental agencies and discuss plausible reasons why it has been (mis)represented. ) or https:// means youve safely connected The Cake Is a Lie. Until March 26, the bars' heights correspond to the numbers. This conversation will support students in then reconsidering the first plots from Case 1 from the Kansas Department of Health (see Figure 1), with a new understanding of their usefulness. Misleading Statistics: Examples of Techniques Used Mixing up linear and logarithmic scales. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. With the rise of advanced technology and globalized operations, statistical analyses grant businesses insight into solving the extreme uncertainties of the market. In addition to our cases motivating discussion of association, the plots also offer an important consideration of how scaling modifications can mislead the consumer. This is problematic because this plot was used to describe statistical trends directly to the general public. Based on the misuse techniques we covered, it is safe to say that this sleight off-hand technique by Colgate is a clear example of misleading statistics in advertising, and would fall under faulty polling and outright bias. Research 101: Descriptive statistics - American Nurse Today However, some have argued that it may have been unintentional (Cairo Citation2020, May 20). Carefully review information in preprints. secure websites. Sears' Bamboo fabric > Parent Company: Sears > Ad changed: yes > Settlement Amount: $475,000 Sears Holdings agreed to pay $475,000 and. Over the next few paragraphs, we provide some possible ways of using the two previous cases to support learning of comparing samples and association, as well as how data visualizations can (mis)lead both unintentionally and intentionally if the consumer is not critically examining them. Representative Jason Chaffetz of Utah explained: In pink, thats the reduction in the breast exams, and the red is the increase in the abortions. Prevalence of Health Misinformation on Social Media - PubMed Whether for market intelligence, customer experience, or business reporting, the future of data is now. Uncover the power of spider charts with this complete guide including examples, best practices, and more! Misleading statistics in politics are quite common. You should only use log scales when there are clear reasons to graph order of magnitude. This list of misleading statistics fallacy examples would not be complete without referencing the COVID-19 pandemic. Oftentimes, data fishing results in studies that are highly publicized due to their important or outlandish findings. The graph generated a big controversy on social media, especially on Twitter, where users pointed out that the Georgia Health Department had repeatedly used misleading statistics during the COVID-19 outbreak. Misinformation about diseases, illnesses, potential treatments and cures, vaccines, diets, and cosmetic procedures is especially harmful. 5 Ways Writers Use Misleading Graphs To Manipulate You - Venngage Amongst various videos of success cases of patients, merchandising, and unethical messaging included in Purdues marketing strategy to advertise OxyContin as a safe drug, there was a very interesting graph, used to prove to doctors that the drug was non-addictive because it stayed on the patients blood over time avoiding symptoms of withdrawal. - Do you think that the government should help those people who cannot find work? Strengthen the monitoring of health questions, concerns, and misinformation. Managing Partners: Martin Blumenau, Ruth Pauline Wachter | Trade Register: Berlin-Charlottenburg HRB 144962 B | Tax Identification Number: DE 28 552 2148, News, Insights and Advice for Getting your Data in Shape, BI Blog | Data Visualization & Analytics Blog | datapine, NASAs Goddard Institute for Space Studies. The results provide deceiving information that creates false narratives around a topic. Omitting baselines, or the axis of a graph, is one of the most common ways data is manipulated in graphs. The misuse of statistics is a much broader problem that now permeates multiple industries and fields of study. Establish quality metrics to assess progress in information literacy. As an entrepreneur and former consultant, Mark Suster advises in an article, you should wonder who did the primary research of said analysis. The case started when the giant pharmaceutical company, Purdue Pharma, launched its new product OxyContin, which they advertised as a safe, non-addictive opioid that was highly effective for pain relief. This is a case of misleading statistics that can be done purposely, to achieve a specific result, or accidentally. Taking that into account, what the graph is actually showing is an increase in deaths using firearms after the law was enacted. For example, a misleading data visualization included in a financial report could cause investors to buy or sell shares of company stock. Duo writes about how health statistics can mislead What if the measured variables were different? Several Twitter users began attempting to make sense of what the data were actually saying. When this paradox goes unnoticed, it can significantly influence the way the data is interpreted, leaving room to believe a certain conclusion or assumption is an absolute truth, when it could change by looking at it from a different perspective. You can see a graph that shows the UK National debt from 1995 to 2016. These controlling measures are essential and should be part of any experiment or survey unfortunately, that isnt always the case. Annual Data 3. Examples of misuse of statistics in the media are very common. This graph makes the argument that masks help "flatten the curve" (or lower the rate of growth of COVID-19 cases) by pointing out that countries with mask usage had lower growth rates than countries without mask usage. If all this is true, what is the problem with statistics? This is an absolute reduction of 1.2% over 4 years, or 0.3% annually. Educate students and the public on common tactics used by those who spread misinformation online. We can all benefit from taking steps to improve the quality of health information we consume. There are two problems with this. In this case, the goal is not association, but comparison, thereby making it a bit more difficult to initially interpret the data. Such examples that appear in the purview of the general public have potential for motivating critical discourse around statistics content and interpretation that can lead to further curiosity of more advanced statistical thinking and reasoning. A slideshow version of the Community Toolkit for educators and other community leaders. Give researchers access to useful data to properly analyze the spread and impact of misinformation. Controlling the spread of misinformation Data (Mis)representation and COVID-19: L . 2 Cases of COVID Data Being (Mis)represented, https://doi.org/10.1080/26939169.2021.1915215, https://www.causalflows.com/introduction/, https://www.amstat.org/asa/education/Guidelines-for-Assessment-and-Instruction-in-Statistics-Education-Reports.aspx, http://www.thefunctionalart.com/2020/05/about-that-weird-georgia-chart.html, https://www.statisticsteacher.org/2019/09/19/using-locus-released-items/, https://apnews.com/f218e1a38cce6b2af63c1cd23f1d234e, https://twitter.com/MaddowBlog/status/1291553722527604736?s=20, https://www.ajc.com/news/stateregional-govtpolitics/just-cuckoo-state-latest-data-mishap-causes-critics-cry-foul/182PpUvUX9XEF8vO11NVGO/, http://www.stat.auckland.ac.nz/iase/serj/SERJ5(2).pdf#page=30. Any sensible person would easily identify the fact that car accidents do not cause bear attacks. Another way of creating misleading statistics, also linked with the choice of sample discussed above, is the size of said sample. Misleading pie chart 4. Because "everyone who has an online presence today is a publisher" (Cairo, 2019, p. 103), inaccurate or misleading information and visualizations spread with unprecedented ease, particularly about health (Lawrence, 2020).People tend to perceive data visualizations about COVID-19 as objective representations of their numbers because they associate charts with logical arguments and . Using the wrong graph. Cited by lists all citing articles based on Crossref citations.Articles with the Crossref icon will open in a new tab. 5 sources of misleading statistics (& how they can jeopardize your A 22-page overview of health misinformation and resources to stop it. Studies foster informed decision-making, sound judgments, and actions carried out on the weight of evidence, not assumptions. People who were more susceptible to . You will end up with a statistical error called selective bias. If you are the one performing the analysis, for instance generating reports for your job, you can ask yourself a few relevant questions to avoid using misleading statistics. This trailer video introduces the Surgeon Generals Confronting Health Misinformation advisory and why it matters. Amplify communications from trusted messengers and subject matter experts. Misleading Statistics Examples In Healthcare This plot (Figure 2) shows something quite different than the one shared by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment in the August 5 press conference. The issue comes with the second graph that is displayed in the article, in which we see a comparison of full-price sales between The Times and one of its biggest competitors, the Daily Telegraph. . Rather its politicians trying to make a point for their own interest or just someone not understanding the information behind the graphs and charts they create, crime statistics are not free of being misleading. Developed in collaboration with the Office of Evaluation Sciences (OES). Misleading Graphs: Real Life Examples - Statistics How To Statistics are infamous for their ability and potential to exist as misleading and bad data. Learn how to identify and avoid sharing health misinformation. Bias is most likely to take the form of data omissions or adjustments to prove a specific point. The problem was, the graph, which is depicted below, was built with a y-axis on a logarithmic scale instead of a linear one, making it look like the rate of change is smaller than it actually is. False or misleading information is causing people to make decisions that could have dangerous consequences for their health. Citation2020), this very truth has now been laid bare for the world to see in the media and social media as the general public grapples with making, and making sense of, data-based arguments around COVID-19. Evaluate the effectiveness of strategies and policies to prevent and address health misinformation. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC BY license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.