Free Statistics Essay Sample

Statistical data can mislead if there are improper communication and presentation. There are various issues that may lead to miscommunication and hence misleading using statistics. The following is an example of such and how it is misleading.
In 1997, an advert by Centrum posted in the Journal of American Dietetic Association showed that out of 10 Americans, 9 do not get the necessary nutrient from what they ate, and were missing out vital minerals and nutrients. The information was on the basis of research between 1976 and 1980 indicating that 9% of the participants could remember having taken the right amounts of vegetables and fruits on the day of the survey. Such would then imply that the rest of the Americans (91%) needed Centrum.
Why is the statistics in the above statement misleading? First, the research is based on opinions only whereby participants and to recall the amount of fruits and vegetables they ate. There are high chances that some just forgot the quantities. Secondly, the advertiser is talking of fruits and vegetable in abstract terms. There is not any measuring or a suggestion of how much is enough. From this perspective, the person is misleading on the amount the population may need thereby misleading the people to buy more than necessary.
The full survey took only one day. The amount of nutrients one gains from eating different foods are not the total of a day’s gain. Further, it is also possible to acquire the essential nutrient without meeting the recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. The quality of the fruits and vegetables plays a critical role in determining the quantity of nutrients. Presuming that 91% of an entire population is eating unhealthy is tantamount to condemning them to universal ignorance. If such were true, it would show itself through extreme sicknesses resulting from the deficiencies. That is not the case.