Deck 2: Separating Fact From Fiction

Question 1

Consumers can have great difficulty determining the reliability of health information.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

Separating health facts from fiction can be a complex and time-consuming task.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Pseudoscientists typically distort scientific evidence to support their viewpoints.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Research fraud is unlikely to have a great effect on clinical practice, because most unusual findings are not widely implemented until replicated.

Question 5

Apparently, "reputable"magazines and television programs may provide health information that is inconsistent in quality.

Question 6

No national organization conducts effective peer review of health news in newspapers and magazines.

Question 7

It is legal to make a False health claim in a book.

Question 8

The possibility of profit encourages many publishers to produce books with unproven health claims.

Question 9

Many television talk shows are electronic soapboxes for promoters of quackery.

Question 10

Reliable health information comes primarily from use of the scientific method.

Question 11

Science is a way of thinking, as well as a body of facts.

Question 12

Conclusions obtained through rigid scientific testing may still be modified by subsequent findings.

Question 13

A variety of reputable scientific organizations and government agencies formally and systematically review and report on significant health related issues.

Question 14

Much health information circulating in our society is inaccurate.

Question 15

Manufacturers often use preliminary research to support increased use of their products.

Question 16

Newspapers often overdramatize health incidents and use misleading headlines to attract readers.

Question 17

The mass media have little influence on consumer health behavior.

Question 18

Nutrition consultants with a degree from an unaccredited school are likely to offer reliable advice.

Question 19

The scientific method relies on testimonials as evidence of fact.

Question 20

Pseudoscientists usually accept findings that contradict their beliefs.

Question 21

The scientific training of researchers at American universities guarantees that they will be reliable sources of information.

Question 22

Which of the following is True about health information presented on television?

A) When stations are notified of error, they usually broadcast a correction.
B) New research findings are often overdramatized.
C) Talk shows carefully screen out promoters of quackery.
D) Experts generally review and approve health broadcasts before they are aired.

Question 23

One reason for the difficulty in separating health facts from fiction is

A) there is no reliable method for doing so.
B) conflicting research data can cause confusion.
C) medical school textbooks are not reliable.
D) people tend to be too objective in analyzing health claims.

Question 24

The scientific community uses all the following to ensure the reliability of health data and information except

A) surveys to determine customer satisfaction.
B) peer review of research.
C) expert determination of whether manuscripts should be accepted for publication by scientific journals.
D) replication of findings by other researchers.

Question 25

Which of the following contributes to the spread of misinformation by the media?

A) ethical policies that make it difficult to report unproven claims
B) fear of offending advertisers
C) excessive use of medical jargon by reporters
D) libel suit exemption that freedom of the press gives to reporters
E) high salaries paid to television reporters and producers

Question 26

Which of the following is not a reliable source of health information?

A) Consumer Reports on Health
B) FDA Consumer
C) Scientific Review of Alternative Medicine
D) Tufts University Diet & Nutrition Letter
E) National Examiner

Question 27

Which of the following is not a source of statistical error in a research study?

A) random sampling
B) bias
C) insufficient data
D) noncomparable data

Question 28

A consumer seeking reliable sources of information should consider all the following except the

A) purpose of a book or report.
B) length of a book or report.
C) adequacy of the presented evidence.
D) qualifications of the author or speaker.

Question 29

Scientific research protocols include all the following except

A) proper sampling techniques.
B) accurate measurement of data.
C) reporting findings through press conferences.
D) appropriate statistical analysis.

Question 30

The scientific method features all the following except

A) clear definitions of criteria.
B) testing of hypotheses.
C) subjective observations.
D) replication of studies.

Question 31

Which of the following is not a common feature of misleading advertising?

A) purposeful omissions
B) meaningless averages
C) statements based on double-blind studies
D) illogical conclusions
E) nonrepresentative data

Question 32

Which of the following magazines had the lowest nutrition accuracy rating in the 2000-2002 study by the American Council on Science and Health?

A) Good Housekeeping
B) Parents
C) Consumer Reports
D) Men's Fitness
E) Reader's Digest

Question 33

Which statement is not True about "risk"?

A) Safety is not absolute.
B) Risk must be justified in comparison to potential gain.
C) Safety is relative.
D) All life activities, including medical treatment, involve some risk.
E) All of the statements are true.

Question 34

Shortcomings of fallacious reporting include

A) decreases in media coverage.
B) scarce research funds wasted to formally disprove a popular, but unworthy, idea.
C) decreases in consumer liability.
D) all of the choices are correct.
E) none of these choices.

Question 35

Which of the following is the best strategy for finding health information on the Internet?

A) Use the MEDLINE database.
B) Use Google chat rooms.
C) Use professionally recommended sites.
D) All of the choices are recommended strategies.
E) None of these choices is a recommended strategy.