No, not stats about zombies, but stats that act like zombies. A health care economics blogger offers a nice use of the zombie metaphor. A zombie statistic is one of unclear provenance but appealing character, and one which endures despite the former.
The example:
[T]he 35-year old CDC paper seems to be at the root of the often-cited 10% number; it’s “paper 0,” if you will. But those that continue to reference 10% as an estimate for health care’s contribution to health should know that the only evidence they are referencing is a survey of 40 people, done when Jimmy Carter was president. It’s not evidence-based except by the weakest notions of “evidence.” It’s really a zombie statistic.
(thanks to Ted Major)
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