Question

which of the following is the most effective use of statistics?
a. \a total of 820,151 legal induced abortions were reported in 2005, the abortion ratio (number of abortions per 1,000 live births) was 233, and the abortion rate was 15 per 1,000 women aged 15 - 44 years.\ - (www.cdc.gov)
b. of all the girls i surveyed at this school, only 13.7% said they would consider having an abortion if they were to become pregnant.
c. \according to the cdc, there were 306 abortions for every 1,000 live births in 1997.\ - (http://www.nrlc.org/factsheets/fs03_abortionintheus.pdf)
d. according to lisa m. koonin, m.n., m.p.h. and jack c. smith, m.s., \legal induced abortion is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in the united states. abortion rates for teenagers are much higher in the united states than in most western european countries and in some eastern european countries.\

Explanation:

• Option a provides multiple statistics (number of legal - induced abortions, abortion ratio, abortion rate) from a reliable source (CDC), giving a comprehensive view.
• Option b is based on a small - scale, non - representative sample (girls at one school).
• Option c gives only one statistic (abortions per 1,000 live births) without much context.
• Option d is more of a qualitative statement rather than a use of statistics.

Answer:

A. "A total of 820,151 legal induced abortions were reported in 2005, the abortion ratio (number of abortions per 1,000 live births) was 233, and the abortion rate was 15 per 1,000 women aged 15 - 44 years." - (www.cdc.gov)