It just shows you how stories can be twisted to 'reveal' untruths. On every measure, the UK has a poorer cancer cure rate than virtually all its current EU partners. But a story that predicted declines in breast cancer mortalities in the UK would be greater than in France and Germany (https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/19/uk-predicted-to-have-one-of-the-biggest-falls-in-breast-cancer-deaths-across-eu-8941591/) was reported as if it was a great achievement! This is a predicted decline and does no journalist appreciate that it is easier to get a 'substantial' decline when the initial baseline is higher?
This blog may help people explore some of the 'hidden' issues involved in certain media treatments of environmental and scientific issues. Using personal digital images, it's also intended to emphasise seasonal (and other) changes in natural history of the Swansea (South Wales) area. The material should help participants in field-based modules and people generally interested in the natural world. The views are wholly those of the author.
Wednesday 20 March 2019
Lies, Damn Lies and Statistics?
It just shows you how stories can be twisted to 'reveal' untruths. On every measure, the UK has a poorer cancer cure rate than virtually all its current EU partners. But a story that predicted declines in breast cancer mortalities in the UK would be greater than in France and Germany (https://metro.co.uk/2019/03/19/uk-predicted-to-have-one-of-the-biggest-falls-in-breast-cancer-deaths-across-eu-8941591/) was reported as if it was a great achievement! This is a predicted decline and does no journalist appreciate that it is easier to get a 'substantial' decline when the initial baseline is higher?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Birder's Bonus 233
Unusually, a Mute swan ( Cynus olor ) was floating on the Loughor estuary near Bynea.
-
The UK government continue their quest to turn England's rivers back into sewers. They first facilitated the privatised water companies...
-
Garden plants in France, The Netherlands, The UK and Sikkim (NE India).
No comments:
Post a Comment