Statistically speaking, you won't believe this

The Scotsman ^ | 23 Sep 2005 | ALASTAIR JAMIESON

[JRios1968]

ONE in three people does not believe official statistics according to a survey ... by the Office for National Statistics.

Only four in ten trust government figures - suggesting that spin doctors have created a climate of public distrust about official statistics, even when the data is accurate.

Just 17 per cent think government figures such as hospital waiting lists and reported crimes are produced without any political interference and only 14 per cent feel such figures are used honestly. But the report itself highlighted a common pitfall of statistical analysis: one third of those surveyed said they "didn't know" enough about the subject to express an opinion.

[Michael.SF.]

An oldie, but a goodie:

"Statistics are like a woman's bikini
What they reveal is interesting,
but what they conceal is vital."
--- Igor Karasik

[Junior_G]

Is this just referring to Scotsmen?

[Lonesome in Massachussets]

There are lies, damnable lies and statistics. (Attributed to Mark Twain.)

[PhilipFreneau]

>>> 92.8% of all statistics are made up on the spot.<<<

And, according to the latest government figures, 40% (forty percent) of all statistics are totally worthless.

[PhilipFreneau]

>>> I have a T shirt that says, "7 out of 5 people are math illiterate"...<<<

And 5 out of 4 don't do fractions.