Do the Facts Ever Lie?

Do the Facts Ever Lie?
In many controversial articles, there is one set of facts, but two different interpretations. The readers of such articles must question both the facts and the interpretations and make up their own minds. Good readers think and read critically; they do not blindly accept someone else's conclusions.	The first sentence introduces the example that will support the main idea.
A study by the National Center for Health Statistics is a good example of why critical thinking so important. The study concludes that children in nonsmoking households are likely to be healthier than children who live with smokers. The study shows that 4.1 percent of young children in households with smokers were in fair to poor health. Only 2.4 percent of the children never exposed to tobacco smoke were in fair to poor health. However, this conclusion is disputed by the tobacco industry.	The second paragraph presents an example of a set of facts that is interpreted differently by two different groups.
The claim by the tobacco industry is that the difference is really one of income levels. In other words, they believe that the study does not take all factors into consideration. It is unfair, they say, to single out smoking as the big cause of the health problems.	This paragraph continues the example to show the different interpretation.
The two sides in this dispute are using the same facts, but are interpreting them differently. Therefore, it is up to the readers to question all aspects of the controversy. They need to ask a number of questions: "What is the bias or motive of the tobacco industry in this case?" "Why would a government agency interpret statistics this way?" "How was the study conducted?" "Are there other reasons why these children have poorer health?" These and other questions must be asked in order to make a judgment about such a dispute. Good readers evaluate information; they do not just accept it.	The last paragraph tells us what good readers should do when reading about a controversy: ask critical questions! And the paragraph concludes with a restatement of the main idea.
--from Swinton, J. and W. Agopsowicz, Read and Respond, 4th Ed., page 27. © 2004, Roxbury Pub. Co.