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| | :::::Because I don't challenge all of the statistics, my criticisms can't be taken seriously? Also, note that all I deny is that you are correctly interpreting the statistics. Finally, you still haven't responded to my comments regarding the samples. -[[User:CSGuy|CSGuy]] 21:34, 21 December 2008 (EST) | | :::::Because I don't challenge all of the statistics, my criticisms can't be taken seriously? Also, note that all I deny is that you are correctly interpreting the statistics. Finally, you still haven't responded to my comments regarding the samples. -[[User:CSGuy|CSGuy]] 21:34, 21 December 2008 (EST) |
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| | + | == Where is your proof? == |
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| | + | Why did you insert that 77% statistic into the [[public school]] article? The article provided did not say that statistic. Where is your proof? |
| | + | --[[User:Metzky|Metzky]] 20:42, 2 January 2009 (EST) |
| | + | :Note: when stating "article" I mean the conservapedia article, but when I say "source", I mean the source that is cited. |
| | + | :After reading the sources from the statistics, I have a major problems with what the article is claiming to have evidence of: |
| | + | <br /> |
| | + | :1.One source says "In 1991, 62 percent had used illicit drugs. In 2007, the number jumped to 77 percent." (it is the link with the number "6"). However, this does '''not''' mean "77% do illegal drugs", as stated in the article. It simply means that, at one point in their life, 77% '''have done''' drugs. The difference in verb tense makes a huge difference. Note that "have done" can be anything as small as having one drink ''in their entire life'' or smoking marijuana ''once''. |
| | + | :2.I was unable to find where the pregnancy rate of 10% came from. I read the entire article sourced for the statistic twice and was unable to find it. The only thing close to it was "In a school of 2,211 students, there are at least 70 girls who are soon-to-be or already mothers." This indicates a pregnancy rate of 3%, not 10%. Also, the statistic of about half getting abortions is not representative of the population, as there was only a sample size of 200 from Alexandria in Virginia. |
| | + | :3.Also, the article sourced for "nearly 10% have mental health problems" specifically states in the second paragraph: "8 percent had mental health issues." 10% and 8% are huge differences in the world of statistics. There is no problem with stating "8%". Also, the study was on students in a Memphis school district. This means that the statistic is unable to be extrapolated to all of American public school students. Memphis students are not representative of the entire population of students, so no such claim is possible. |
| | + | :4.The same goes for the 35% said to be obese. (Added in after originally posted <font color="#237923">[[User:WilliamBeason|William Beason]]</font><sup>[[User talk:WilliamBeason|talk]]</sup> 21:23, 2 January 2009 (EST)) |
| | + | :5.The same error just mentioned is committed when stating "20% go on dangerous "binge drinking," and 50% drink illegally". The statistic cited is for ''Ottowa County'' in Michigan. (not representative of the entire population) |
| | + | :6.An even more egregious error is committed concerning the number of students who watch more than 3 hours of television. The national average that the source refers to '''is''' public school students. The 60% statistic is for ''Memphis'' students. The 35% is the national average for public school students. |
| | + | :7.On bullying, the source states "Nationally, about 160,000 students miss school daily because they fear being bullied". When checking this, the source is '''completely''' wrong: |
| | + | ::*http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/personal/09/06/bullies/index.html |
| | + | ::If you want a source that is not CNN, then: |
| | + | ::*http://books.google.com/books?id=D_LpPNZt3iMC&pg=PA461&lpg=PA461&dq=160,000+students+bully+one+day+year&source=web&ots=Ycyex5n4s6&sig=qlrlKQNjNIOScUryWSg048NbSlE&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=8&ct=result |
| | + | :In reality, it is "Every year more than 160,000 students report missing some school because they are afraid." (added after originally posted <font color="#237923">[[User:WilliamBeason|William Beason]]</font><sup>[[User talk:WilliamBeason|talk]]</sup> 21:32, 2 January 2009 (EST)) It is not ''every day'', but at least some every year. This includes simply ''being late'' in ''one day'' the entire year. |
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| | + | :Overall, the sources seem to be taken from where public schools are doing the '''worst''' rather than average public schools. The sample sizes are extremely small and are taken specifically from the regions where public schools are doing the worst. These are not representative of how the entire public school system is doing. The statistics have either been gravely misinterpreted or are being misconstrued on purpose by the person who wrote that part of the article. The article is very misleading. |
| | + | :I hope this is fixed soon. <font color="#237923">[[User:WilliamBeason|William Beason]]</font><sup>[[User talk:WilliamBeason|talk]]</sup> 21:19, 2 January 2009 (EST) |
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| | + | :: In response to point 1 above, drugs are addictive. Very few people do drugs only once. In response to point 2 above, please realize that boys don't get pregnant, and half of pregnant high school girls get an [[abortion]]. |
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| | + | :: Guys, I stopped there. Raise the quality of your criticisms, please, if you want a response. And pick your best criticism rather than pretending that quantity is a substitute for quality. It isn't.--[[User:Aschlafly|aschlafly]] 21:47, 2 January 2009 (EST) |