Statistics are fascinating because you can make them say anything you want.

Don’t believe me? 

Watch two expert witnesses in a trial.

Data can be incredibly useful for explaining a situation. However, don’t be fooled into thinking data can tell you exactly what happened.

We see it all the time: two parties disagree— both with logical conclusions drawn through data— and only one possible outcome exists.

People are quick to tell you exactly how something happened and point to statistics. They’ll tell you how the science virtually excludes the possibility of something happening or how something else is optimal. 

Ask yourself what they stand to gain by relaying this information before you take it to heart.