Archive for the ‘Public Opinion’ Category

Asking Questions and Misleading Headlines

Tuesday, July 22nd, 2008

Dutch health system rated best, U.S. worst: polls | Lifestyle | Living | Reuters
NEW YORK Reuters Life – Americans are the least satisfied with their health care system, while the Dutch system is rated the best, according to new research.

This is from last week, and I did some background research on it.  For those who are reading, I just want to quickly point out one thing.  Contrast the headline with the first line of the article, both above.  According to the headline, the United States was “rated worst” among developed countries, and the Dutch the best.  A quick glance at the headline would give one the opinion that this is based on objective data.  Note in the first line of the article, “Americans are the least satisfied…”   This is an opinion poll, which is not at all objective as to best and worst.

So be careful what you read and believe–and look closely to see what is actually going on as opposed to what the publishers of such stories want you to think is going on.