Abstract
Graphs have been used in attempts to show a relationship between the measles, mumps and rubella virus (MMR) vaccine and autism. We examine the topic of graphical representation of data in general, and one of these graphs in particular: the one that appeared in a 1999 letter to The Lancet. That graph combined data from England and from California, USA. The author alleged that this graph illustrated a rise in autism rates linked to the use of the MMR vaccine. By examining the presentation closely, we are able to show how this graph misrepresented the data used. We give advice for both authors and publishers in the use of such graphical treatments of data.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 831-836 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Drug Safety |
| Volume | 30 |
| Issue number | 10 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Oct 2007 |
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A case study of a graphical misrepresentation : drawing the wrong conclusions about the measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine. / Cox, Anthony R.; Kirkham, Harold.
In: Drug Safety, Vol. 30, No. 10, 01.10.2007, p. 831-836.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - A case study of a graphical misrepresentation
T2 - drawing the wrong conclusions about the measles, mumps and rubella virus vaccine
AU - Cox, Anthony R.
AU - Kirkham, Harold
PY - 2007/10/1
Y1 - 2007/10/1
N2 - Graphs have been used in attempts to show a relationship between the measles, mumps and rubella virus (MMR) vaccine and autism. We examine the topic of graphical representation of data in general, and one of these graphs in particular: the one that appeared in a 1999 letter to The Lancet. That graph combined data from England and from California, USA. The author alleged that this graph illustrated a rise in autism rates linked to the use of the MMR vaccine. By examining the presentation closely, we are able to show how this graph misrepresented the data used. We give advice for both authors and publishers in the use of such graphical treatments of data.
AB - Graphs have been used in attempts to show a relationship between the measles, mumps and rubella virus (MMR) vaccine and autism. We examine the topic of graphical representation of data in general, and one of these graphs in particular: the one that appeared in a 1999 letter to The Lancet. That graph combined data from England and from California, USA. The author alleged that this graph illustrated a rise in autism rates linked to the use of the MMR vaccine. By examining the presentation closely, we are able to show how this graph misrepresented the data used. We give advice for both authors and publishers in the use of such graphical treatments of data.
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=34748873139&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.2165/00002018-200730100-00002
DO - 10.2165/00002018-200730100-00002
M3 - Article
C2 - 17867721
AN - SCOPUS:34748873139
VL - 30
SP - 831
EP - 836
JO - Drug Safety
JF - Drug Safety
SN - 0114-5916
IS - 10
ER -