How important are statistics in making a point?

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goodcatholic

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75.7% of people surveyed said they were more likely to sin after lunch than before lunch.

Do the use of stats make you more persuaded by someone’s view? I have been a fan of Jordan Peterson but when he uses statistics from psychological research, I feel underwhelmed. How valid was the research?
Are stats used much to defend Catholicism? Only 5% of Catholics surveyed read the Bible every day. Well I think it would be higher in my parish where there is a Bible reading ministry, for instance. I guess some stats are better than none? Can show a tendency so have some validity.
 
I guess stats are only used in scientific debates or things that have a aspect that science can delve into.
 
Unfortunately four of every three people struggle with fractions.
 
100% of posters not taking me seriously? Oh dear. Gone are the days when my status on here was much higher.
 
I think statistics can be useful, but have their limits.

Whenever I read that x% of Catholics believe [fill in the blank] I’m left wondering how they define Catholic. Weekly Mass-attending Catholics? Christmas and Easter Catholics? Catholics who haven’t set foot in a church since their First Communion?

And how was the question worded? There’s a difference between
  • Is the Eucharist a symbol?
  • Is the Eucharist only a symbol?
But either of those questions might be used to demonstrate that Catholics don’t believe in the Real Presence in the Eucharist.
 
At least your status isn’t being suspended for a large quantity of time anymore.
 
I would add “distortions”. That seems to be the most common tactic now. Inflate your enemy’s faults and downplay your own.
 
goodcatholic said:
Do the use of stats make you more persuaded by someone’s view?
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If the topic has a behavioral component then yes, stats help. But the source and conditions of the survey matter. Were the questions biased? Was the sample valid, etc.
I have been a fan of Jordan Peterson but when he uses statistics from psychological research, I feel underwhelmed. How valid was the research?
Click to expand...
Honest surveys will publish the exact questions and a short description of how the sample was selected and weighted.
 
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SuscipeMeDomine said:
I think statistics can be useful, but have their limits.

Whenever I read that x% of Catholics believe [fill in the blank] I’m left wondering how they define Catholic. Weekly Mass-attending Catholics? Christmas and Easter Catholics? Catholics who haven’t set foot in a church since their First Communion?
Click to expand...
And good surveys will have a breakdown somewhere for weekly, monthly, rarely mass goers.
 
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I think Catholic researchers need to do some surveys on sinning.
Like “what sins do you regard as trivial, less severe?”
would reveal some interesting answers.
 
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