How To Achieve A Titillating Headline
Glenn Reynolds linked this titillating headline:
NINE PERCENT OF YALE STUDENTS SURVEYED SAY THEY’VE ACCEPTED MONEY FOR SEX
Of course, when you read the article (of course I clicked through, I have no pride), you find that:
- The sample size is approximately 40
- The sample was from a group of people who self-selected to attend a seminar by the owner of a sex-toy business
The "3% who participated in bestiality" is actually 1 person out of 40 who have a self-selected interest in pushing sexual boundaries. With a little larger sample size, a bit poorer math, and a bit more work goal-seeking to a desired outcome, this might almost meet the standards of climate research.
Which is all a relief to me -- after 30+ years of being a Yale hater, I was afraid I might have to admit it was a more interesting place than I thought.
