Read The Attachment, Instructions, And Article: Can People L ✓ Solved
Read The Attachmentinstructionsread The Articlecan People Lie With S
Read the attachment instructions: Read the article: Can People Lie with Statistics? (Links attached). Answer all three questions under "What Do You Think" in your essay. Your essay should be at least 3-5 pages and include at least two outside references. Your essay must be in proper APA format. What Do You Think? Why do you think people are so quick to accept “statistics” as true? From a scientific point of view, is spinning the truth acceptable? Is this practice OK from a critical approach, in which someone is trying to advance social change? Find a news story on some social issues that you think presents biased data or conclusions. What are the biases?
Sample Paper For Above instruction
Introduction
The manipulation of statistics in media and research has become a pervasive issue, raising questions about the integrity of data presented to the public. The article "Can People Lie with Statistics?" explores how data can be skewed to support particular narratives and why audiences often accept such data without critical analysis. This essay addresses why people tend to accept statistics readily, evaluates the ethics of spinning the truth from a scientific perspective, considers the acceptability of such practices in social change efforts, and analyzes a recent biased news story related to social issues.
Why Are People Quick to Accept Statistics as True?
Many individuals accept statistics at face value due to a combination of factors including the perceived authority of data, cognitive biases such as the "trust in authority," and the human tendency to seek simple explanations for complex issues (Fiedler & Bless, 2004). Statistics are often presented by figures or organizations with perceived expertise, leading to a default trust. Additionally, cognitive shortcuts facilitate accepting data without interrogation, especially when the information aligns with existing beliefs or confirms prevailing narratives (Tversky & Kahneman, 1974). Furthermore, the proliferation of data in media sources makes it challenging for the average person to scrutinize every statistic critically, leading to widespread acceptance.
The Ethics of Spinning the Truth from a Scientific Perspective
From a scientific standpoint, spinning the truth—selectively presenting data or manipulating figures—is fundamentally unethical. Scientific research relies on transparency, objectivity, and accuracy. Manipulating data undermines the core principles of scientific integrity and can lead to significant misinformation, affecting public policy, health, and social trust (Ioannidis, 2005). The misuse of statistics — whether through cherry-picking data, altering scales, or misrepresenting significance — compromises the credibility of scientific findings and diminishes trust in research institutions.
Is Spinning the Truth Acceptable from a Critical Social Change Perspective?
In critical social change contexts, the ethics become more nuanced. Advocates might justify manipulating data to highlight social issues inadequately recognized or suppressed in mainstream discourse (Freire, 1970). Their intent is to raise awareness and mobilize action, sometimes using persuasive tactics that bend data to evoke emotional responses. However, ethical standards suggest that even in social advocacy, distortions distort the truth and can damage credibility and long-term trust. There is a danger that such practices can backfire by discrediting legitimate social movements when exposed (Miller et al., 2015). Thus, while the intent may be to foster social change, honesty remains paramount to maintain ethical integrity and effectiveness.
Analysis of a Biased News Story
A recent news story from a major outlet reported on the impact of minimum wage increases on employment. The article claimed that raising the minimum wage led to significant job losses, citing a specific study that found a negative correlation. However, a closer look revealed biases: the study selected data only from certain regions and ignored broader economic factors that mitigated potential negative impacts. The bias lies in the cherry-picking of data, presenting a skewed narrative that supports the claim that minimum wage hikes harm employment. Other studies, such as those by Neumark and Wascher (2007), demonstrate neutral or mixed effects, suggesting that the story's conclusion is biased, emphasizing negative outcomes while ignoring research showing minimal or no adverse effects.
Conclusion
Acceptance of statistics without critical analysis can be attributed to trust in authority, cognitive biases, and media influence. Spinning the truth from a scientific viewpoint is unethical, as it erodes trust and hampers informed decision-making. In social change efforts, ethical considerations should still guide data presentation to avoid misinformation. The case of biased media reporting on economic policies illustrates how data can be manipulated or selectively presented to support particular narratives. Promoting statistical literacy and ethical standards in research and media is essential to safeguard public understanding and trust.
References
- Freire, P. (1970). Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Continuum.
- Fiedler, K., & Bless, H. (2004). Social cognition: How people evaluate, remember, and interpret information about themselves and others. Psychologists Press.
- Ioannidis, J. P. (2005). Why most published research findings are false. PLoS Medicine, 2(8), e124.
- Miller, J., Jentzsch, I., & McDonald, R. (2015). Ethical considerations in social activism: The importance of honesty and integrity. Journal of Social Ethics, 3(2), 45-60.
- Neumark, D., & Wascher, W. (2007). Minimum wages and employment. Foundations and Trends® in Microeconomics, 3(1‐2), 1-182.
- Tversky, A., & Kahneman, D. (1974). Judgment under uncertainty: Heuristics and biases. Science, 185(4157), 1124-1131.