Any study can be easily manipulated…even by a middle school student

How easy is it to conduct a study that pulls the wool over just about everyone’s eyes?

A friend sent me an article about a student who won first prize at a science fair.

For his project, he asked people to sign a petition demanding more regulation of a chemical called dihydrogen monoxide.

The student listed seven reasons why the chemical needed strict controls…

1) It can cause excessive sweating and vomiting

2) It is a major component in acid rain

3) It can cause severe burns in its gaseous state

4) Accidental inhalation can kill you

5) It contributes to erosion

6) It decreases effectiveness of automobile brakes

7) It’s found in cancer tumors

Out of 50 people, 43 signed the petition. Six were undecided.

And one said no. Apparently, he paid attention in chemistry class. He knew that dihydrogen monoxide is the chemical name for…water.

It’s THAT easy.

Sources:
“H2O: Dangerous Chemical!” Penn State Department of Mathematics, math.psu.edu