Question

determine whether the statement makes sense or does not make sense and explain your reasoning
the death rate from this new strain of flu is catastrophic because 25% of the people hospitalized with the disease have died
choose the correct answer below
a. this does not make sense because it is not clear whether the facts are derived from a sample of patients which is representative of the entire population of all the patients suffering from the disease
b. this makes sense because the sample of patients is representative of the entire population of patients suffering from the disease
c. this makes sense because the percentage of the hospitalized people is less than 50%
d. this does not make sense because the percentage of the hospitalized people is less than 50%

Explanation:

To determine if the statement makes sense, we need to consider the representativeness of the sample. If the sample of hospitalized patients is not representative of all patients with the disease (e.g., maybe only severe - case patients are hospitalized), then we cannot generalize the 25% death - rate to all patients. Option A correctly points out that it is not clear if the sample (hospitalized patients) is representative of all patients suffering from the disease. Option B assumes the sample is representative without justification. Options C and D base the sense - making on the percentage value (25% < 50%) which is not a valid reason for determining if the statement about the death - rate being catastrophic is valid. The validity of the statement depends on sample representativeness, not just the percentage value.

Answer:

A. This does not make sense because it is not clear whether the facts are derived from a sample of patients which is representative of the entire population of patients suffering from the disease.