February 04, 2009

The Study That Launched a Thousand Moonbats

Remember that Lancet study that claimed 655,000 Iraqi civilians had died as a result of the US-led invasion? Even though the figure was widely criticized at the time as being far too high an estimate, Left wing moonbats from Cindy Sheehan to the now mainstreamed Daily Kos clung to its accuracy as an article of faith.

It turns out that the guy who wrote the study won't share basic methodological information. Hmmm, I wonder why?

The American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) began investigating Dr. [Gilbert] Burnham's work in March 2008 after a complaint by one of its members.

The AAPOR's executive council said in a statement carried by the Associated Press news agency: "When asked to provide several basic facts about this research, Burnham refused."

It said it wanted to know the wording of questions asked and instructions and explanations given to respondents.

"Dr Burnham provided only partial information and explicitly refused to provide complete information about the basic elements of his research," said Mary Losch, chair of the association's standards committee.

She added that Dr Burnham's refusal to co-operate "violates the fundamental standards of science, seriously undermines open public debate on critical issues and undermines the credibility of all survey and public opinion research."

Thanks to HA's link thing.

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 01:05 PM | |