Replying to LO27753 --
While I do support the underlying presumption that statistics are more
commonly used to support and defend one's previously held convictions, I
do not believe that this is only practiced by the defenders of the status
quo. Those with competing agendas who might like to change the current
course or attack those in power can also use the numbers to their
advantage to make an equally compelling argument for change. The key point
here I think is that nearly all numerically based, theoretically objective
analyses are subject to the perceptions, personal filters, and agenda
driven biases of the people who report the data. I still remember a class
segment in my MBA program called How to Lie with Statistics where we used
many USA Today clipppings as shining examples of "strecthing the truth" to
support your position. The old adage that "figures lie and liars figure"
has never rung more true.
> Generally speaking, statistics are used to support existing
> policies, actions and philosophies. If statistics exist that call current
> courses of action into question, they will likely be ignored. If
> statistics exist that suggest initiatives that are not consistent with
> current courses of action, they will be ignored. In short, statistics are
> to buttress and defend, never to call into question.
>
> Regards,
>
> Fred Nickols
> nickols@att.net
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