Question

Which of the following is the most effective use of statistics? a. “A total of 820,151 legal induced abortions were reported in 2005, the abortion ratio (number of abortions per 1,000 live births) was 233, and the abortion rate was 15 per 1,000 women aged 15--44 years.” - (www.cdc.gov) b. Of all the girls I surveyed at this school, only 13.7% said they would consider having an abortion if they were to become pregnant. c. “According to the CDC, there were 306 abortions for every 1,000 live births in 1997.” - (http://www.nrlc.org/Factsheets/FS03_AbortionintheUS.pdf) d. According to Lisa M. Koonin, M.N., M.P.H. and Jack C. Smith, M.S., “Legal induced abortion is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the United States. Abortion rates for teenagers are much higher in the United States than in most Western European countries and in some Eastern European countries.”

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct answers is A.“A total of 820,151 legal induced abortions were reported in 2005, the abortion ratio (number of abortions per 1,000 live births) was 233, and the abortion rate was 15 per 1,000 women aged 15--44 years.” - (www.cdc.gov)

Explanation:

As we know, statistics is the science that deals with the analysis and collection of data in the form of numbers, thus, options b and c provide just a few and very general information with numbers, option d. only mentions an opinion or  analysis of the individuals which may have experience in the topic, however, it doesn’t provide a number to justify the argument. Whereas option A. provides not only many numbers, but a clear explanation on statistics: how many abortions per year? Since when? Comparison among  two different periods, ages, etc…

Answer 2

a. “A total of 820,151 legal induced abortions were reported in 2005, the abortion ratio (number of abortions per 1,000 live births) was 233, and the abortion rate was 15 per 1,000 women aged 15--44 years.” - (www.cdc.gov) 

This use of statistics is the most effective because it presents the information clearly and accurately, and cites a well known, credible source.