Statistics need to be used cautiously, in part, because distorted, biased, or incorrect statistics may not only attract media attention, but they can be circulated quickly on the Internet and become "fact by repetition." Here, Professor David J. Hanson of the Sociology Department, State University of New York, discusses the problem:

Typically, inflated statistics are associated with talk of epidemics, threats to our youth, and similar alarmist language. Often they are promoted by groups with laudable sounding names such as the Center for Science in the Public Interest. But many such groups, which may have underlying social or political agendas, tend to exaggerate the extent and growth of problems in which they have a vested interest and, typically, a proposed solution. Problems widely seen by the public as being of epidemic proportion justify ever larger budgets, increased staffs, higher salaries, more power, and greater organizational prestige.

Source: D. J. Hanson, "Underage Drinking," Sociology Department, State University of New York, Potsdam, 2001. Retrieved March 25, 2003, from http://www2. potsdam.edu/alcohol-info/Youth/Youth.html.

1		Who might have a vested interest in exaggerating statistics? Why?
2		What kinds of cautionary measures can you take in your research, to make certain that you are not using exaggerated-distorted, biased, or incorrect-statistics?