They confuse the public by using absolute or relative statistics when it benifits them.
Example: a study is done on a new drug to prevent breast cancer from recurring.
A group of 100 participants is chosen verses a 100 person control group. Over the course of the 2 year study 2 woman in the control group had a recurrence, and in the group that took the drug 1 person had the cancer come back.
In absolute terms, an approx 1% advantage over the control group. However the drug company using relative stats goes out and sells doctors that their miracle drug reduces the chance of recurrence by 50%
They confuse the public by using absolute or relative statistics when it benifits them.
Example: a study is done on a new drug to prevent breast cancer from recurring.
A group of 100 participants is chosen verses a 100 person control group. Over the course of the 2 year study 2 woman in the control group had a recurrence, and in the group that took the drug 1 person had the cancer come back.
In absolute terms, an approx 1% advantage over the control group. However the drug company using relative stats goes out and sells doctors that their miracle drug reduces the chance of recurrence by 50%