1. Survey of Mathematical Methods
Survey of Mathematical MethodsMisuse of statistics occurs when an argument that is
statistical affirms a deception. Statistical misuse could either be unintended or deliberate
for the gain of the the person behind it (Jaffe and Spirer, 1987) Misleading statistics results
into a statistical myth which can be quite destructive and costly. Generally, statistical
misuses takes the form of false causality, misreporting which results to misunderstanding,
overgeneralization, discarded unfavorable data, loaded questions, data dredging and
manipulation for example the answers to a particular survey could be manipulated by
wording the asked questions in a manner as to persuade a prevalence towards a specific
response from the respondent (Christensen and Reichert, 1976) .Misuses are very easy to
fall into. Professionals from all disciplines inclusive of mathematicians and great
statisticians get fooled by very easy methods even when they are cautious to monitor the
whole thing. Some deceive themselves with statistics because they lack sufficient know how
in probabilistic situations and failure to standardize their tests.Question 1 (answer)“ These
results are not typical” when used in advertisements is a disclaimer that offers legal
protection to the advertisers from potential court case. The federal trade commission in
October 2009 came up with new principles which prohibited the advertisers from using the
disclaimer ‘ these results are not typical’ but the commission gave a provision for the
advertisers to use this phrase only if they stated the typical results the buyers should look
forward to( Brienza, 2008). This disclaimer is too general. These results are not typical,
when used implies that almost nobody will obtain the results reflected in the advert. For
dietary supplement regulatory compliance labels should be attached to the products
containers, boxes should be labeled, packages should be inserted and the fliers should be
distributed to the selling points and promotional webs site content( Brienza, 2008). All
disclaimers and the disclosers should be clear and conspicuous in terms of being
understood, in a manner that they can be read easily and prominent.Ideally, the wording of
a disclaimer or a discloser should be of the same size as the claim being that the advertiser
is disclaiming or clarifying. The law disallows use of tiny letters in presentation of a
disclaimer, commonly known as microprint or mouse print (Brienza, 2008). The
commission also recommended that televisions should not hide key information in a fast
moving creep, the superscripts or the subscripts using small print sizes or colors that fades
into the background .Those that fade away from the television screen so fast even before
consumers have reads or get or the middle of very long statements that rolls vertically on
television for very short periods of time (Brienza, 2008). Practically saying, disclaimers
2. must be indicated on the same section of the label .It could be in plural if there are beyond
two claims. Technically a disclaimer should be in bold letters enclosed in a box. For weight
loss supplements, all claims should be followed by a disclosure type language clarifying that
the supplement that the supplement works in the context of “ A sensible diet and moderate
exercise.” (Brienza, 2008). Sufficient qualification could be a famous claim adjacent to the
quotation, presented in the same size print, saying “ These results are not typical: Average
weight loss achieved in a clinical study was five pounds in two weeks.” Such weight loss
claims definitely deserves and receives special attention from the consumers (Brienza,
2008).Question 2 (Answer)71% could be representing a sample of people censured
.Seventy one out of a hundred people polled will make 71% but truly this does not imply
that it is a representation of a large group of individuals. Although 71% is a large percentage
it is misleading because it is dependent on the small part that was polled. If it was put in the
majority group the percentage could be totally different since very many people live in
countries which experience the summer season only for three months. It is not specific on
whether it is a poll of the year or it represents a few days. A poll is a sample representing
the whole population and is subject to error since the sample could be biased .Not all people
give responses to surveys, in addition it depends on the people who were surveyed and
their geographical areas.Survey questions leads to erroneous conclusions because of use of
loaded questions which are maneuvered by wording them in a manner as to persuade
predominance towards a specific answer from the respondent. Loaded questions results
into biased data. Loaded questions also involves leading the question by giving information
that will support the preferred response (Christensen and Reichert, 1976) Another reason
which leads to erroneous conclusion in survey questions is the overgeneralization which
occurs when statistics relating to a certain population is affirmed to seize among members
of a group for which the unusual population is not a representative sample. It happens
when information is conveyed using nontechnical foundation mostly in the media
industries. Another reason that leads to erroneous conclusion is relying on questions on
large numbers of dependent answers (variables) for example study investigating impacts of
a clinical healing could use the chances of surviving as the dependent variable (Abramson
and Abramson, 1999). This raises the chances that at least one variable will indicate a
relationship with independent variable. In addition in some surveys it happens that the
people being studied have some form of control over whether to take part for example
individuals with sturdy views or considerable know how could be more keen to respond to
survey questions than those who do not. This results to divergence of answers with
unwarranted point of view being given a misappropriated weight (Mellenbergh and Hand,
2008) Biased samples results in problems since any statistical results obtained from that
sample is erroneous and leads to overrepresentation or under representation .Statistically
speaking all samples are biased because it is technically not possible to have perfect sample.
In statistics discipline, bias refers to intended intent to mislead and it simply represents a
statistical property. Some individuals use biased samples in producing ambiguous results
quite often. Partial sample is a reflection of complexity in getting truly representative
survey.ConclusionIn conclusion, advertisers should be keen to observe the new guidelines
in compliance with the regulatory laws relating to disclaimers and disclosers. They need to
3. be as clear and conspicuous as possible to avoid misleading the consumers, causing
damages and avoid rectification of dishonesty that may take decades and cost lives (Jaffe
and Spirer, 1987). Surveys on the other hand oblige the use of sample weights in order to
produce accurate approximations across all cultural and racial groups. Meeting certain
provisions, drawing the sample randomly from the whole population among others will give
accurate estimates of the population factors.ReferencesBrienza, S. (2008). “ Your results
may vary: Disclaimers and disclosers.” Natural foods merchandiser, 27 (7), pp.20-
22.Christensen, R. and Reichert, T. (1976).” Unit Measure Violations in Pattern Recognition,
Ambiguity and Irrelevancy,” Pattern Recognition, 4, pp.239– 245.Jaffe, A.J. and Spirer, H.F.
(1987). Misused Statistics. New York: Marcel Dekker, Inc.Abramson, J.J. and Abramson, Z.H.
(1999). Survey Methods in Community Medicine: Epidemiological Research, Programme
Evaluation, Clinical Trials. London: Churchill Livingstone/Elsevier Health
Sciences.Mellenbergh, G. J.and Hand, D. J. (2008). Advising on research methods: A
consultant’ s companion. Huizen, The Netherlands: Johannes van Kessel Publishing.
