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Others to look out for are <nowiki>'might', ''probably', 'could' and all the usual suspects. It isn't uncommon to read X probably causes Y, but on reading the full text find out that it's not actually possible to tell, or even sometimes that in fact, it probably doesn'</nowiki>t. Such tactics can be argued to go against principles of 'good ethics' particularly where (public) health is concerned, and where not likely to be obvious, context (as provided above with coffee etc.) should be provided. This is not unreasonable, the public expects high standards, when reading about things that are used to make health choices. Please see the next picture particularly the second tweet pictured, regarding the reasons for being untruthful, and why that isn't acceptable, particularly for trusted health organisations/professionals. | Others to look out for are <nowiki>'might', ''probably', 'could' and all the usual suspects. It isn't uncommon to read X probably causes Y, but on reading the full text find out that it's not actually possible to tell, or even sometimes that in fact, it probably doesn'</nowiki>t. Such tactics can be argued to go against principles of 'good ethics' particularly where (public) health is concerned, and where not likely to be obvious, context (as provided above with coffee etc.) should be provided. This is not unreasonable, the public expects high standards, when reading about things that are used to make health choices. Please see the next picture particularly the second tweet pictured, regarding the reasons for being untruthful, and why that isn't acceptable, particularly for trusted health organisations/professionals. | ||
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==== Omitting important information ==== | ==== Omitting important information ==== | ||
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There is information on this page [[Does nicotine damage the developing adolescent brain?]] Including the big issue; many millions worldwide started smoking in their teens, if such damage occurred in humans (this has been studied, scientists have looked), it would be trivial to find it, no such issues have been found, none. | There is information on this page [[Does nicotine damage the developing adolescent brain?]] Including the big issue; many millions worldwide started smoking in their teens, if such damage occurred in humans (this has been studied, scientists have looked), it would be trivial to find it, no such issues have been found, none. | ||
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=== Confusing use of numbers === | === Confusing use of numbers === | ||
The definition of youth can vary, and the one used in an article or press release, may be wildly different than the readers expectation. This happens frequently, and is highly variable, youth might refer to ages 12-25, 10-18, 12-21 etc. even wider ranges have been seen at times, often the definition is absent, or buried in the text somewhere. Similarly definitions of children can be equally ambiguous, some ranges used are as wide as 'youth' above, and may include some adults, clearly this is not what most people expect. As above the range if given at all, can be hard to find. | The definition of youth can vary, and the one used in an article or press release, may be wildly different than the readers expectation. This happens frequently, and is highly variable, youth might refer to ages 12-25, 10-18, 12-21 etc. even wider ranges have been seen at times, often the definition is absent, or buried in the text somewhere. Similarly definitions of children can be equally ambiguous, some ranges used are as wide as 'youth' above, and may include some adults, clearly this is not what most people expect. As above the range if given at all, can be hard to find. | ||
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Agencies like the CDC, when communicating with the general public, have a responsibility to ensure they make the information clear, and easy to understand. You can reasonably expect such a graph to contain the information required, to see what scale is used, and what it represents, without having to click a link to further information. | Agencies like the CDC, when communicating with the general public, have a responsibility to ensure they make the information clear, and easy to understand. You can reasonably expect such a graph to contain the information required, to see what scale is used, and what it represents, without having to click a link to further information. | ||
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Dr. Bik is a microbiologist who has worked at Stanford University and for the Dutch National Institute for Health. She works to find and bring to attention such issues, please see the article for details. | Dr. Bik is a microbiologist who has worked at Stanford University and for the Dutch National Institute for Health. She works to find and bring to attention such issues, please see the article for details. | ||
She is also active on [https://twitter.com/microbiomdigest?s=21&t=39fn2AMuQMxh1qzdpLIkGg Twitter] | She is also active on [https://twitter.com/microbiomdigest?s=21&t=39fn2AMuQMxh1qzdpLIkGg Twitter] | ||
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=== Issues with 'Spin' of results, either by the writers of the paper, or press release (or both) === | === Issues with 'Spin' of results, either by the writers of the paper, or press release (or both) === | ||
Careful analysis of many e-cigarette/HTPs studies show that conclusions are often misreported with nonsignificant findings being presented as significant or demonstrating an effect (spin bias). | Careful analysis of many e-cigarette/HTPs studies show that conclusions are often misreported with nonsignificant findings being presented as significant or demonstrating an effect (spin bias). | ||
[[Center of Excellence for the acceleration of HArm Reduction|CoEHAR]] researchers in their article: | [[Center of Excellence for the acceleration of HArm Reduction|CoEHAR]] researchers in their article: | ||
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