filed in Myths and stereotypes
Why We Need to Be Wary of Studies
Occasionally on this site, I rail against studies that imply single life is not on par with married life. According to their data, we’re not as happy or healthy and we don’t live as long as couples. And on a gut level, this has never made sense to me. Finally, here’s a clear and less anecdotal explanation as to why studies shouldn’t always be trusted.
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Ha–LOVE this! And while medicine and nutrition seem to be the worst offending disciplines, other disciplines do as well. The NYTimes Health section, which I do read fairly religiously, often publishes articles based on singular studies with small sample sizes (we tested VO2 max in 18 college age males, e.g.) After reading too many that were contracting a study published the previous week, I’ve given up on taking them too seriously (unless accompanied by some solid theory, which is often lacking in the Times articles).
BTW, I never did read that BYU “singles study” you linked to previously–on purpose. Again, these works are contradictory (Singlehood kills! No, being married is deadly! Arghhh!!!)
The linked article was fascinating. Thanks for sharing it.
Whether medical or social science, the principal seems the same. Take them with a grain of salt. Petra, it was wise of you to miss that BYU study, as it wasn’t worthy of your time.