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An
Epidemiologist was interested in investigating
the effect of external factors on the sex of newborn
babies. He counted number of black and red cars
passing through the road opposite to the Wadia
Maternity Hospital on a Monday and Tuesday. He
then collected information about the number of
male and female babies born on those two days.
As per the usual procedure, he applied suitable
statistical test and inferred that when the number
of red cars passing through the road are more
than black cars, birth rate of male babies is
significantly higher.
You
must be wondering if this is a research investigation?!
This
is just an example how mathematical or statistical
procedures can be stretched to prove or disprove
a non-existent or non-sense association. This
class of statistics is called "nonsense statistics."
It is impossible for a common person to find out
if the described association is real or non-sense.
Epidemiology, which, amongst other things, deals
with study of associations between different factors
and disease, is one branch of medical science
that has been abused maximum to serve one's preconceived
concepts. Some epidemiologists use this science
to confuse and spread unwarranted scare in the
minds of innocent people.
The
scientists in general are of two distinct types:
-
those who have pre-conceived ideas and they
do studies to somehow prove that they are
right, and,
-
those who dedicate their lives to investigate
facts and truth. Fortunately, a majority of
the scientists belong to the latter category.
However, sadly, it is the formers who get
headlines in newspapers for throwing one or
the other controversial issue.
Milk
and dairy product consumption is one such issue
that has recently created a lot of public debate.
Find
answers to some commonly asked questions:
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