Misleading description

Just words

Look out for intervention effects that are described just using words.

A intervention effect is a change in an outcome caused by a intervention. The size of an intervention effect can be described using numbers. For example, 6 out of 10 sheep may be better after one week with an intervention and 5 out of 10 may be better without that intervention. Then the effect of the intervention (the difference) is 1 more animal out of 10 that will be better with the intervention.

Words can also be used to describe intervention effects. For example 2 more animals out of 10 might be described as a “small effect”. Words can be easier to understand than numbers, but they can mean different things to different people. Also, words can be used to trick people. For example, someone selling an intervention might say that it has “amazing results” or might describe a intervention as “natural”, suggesting that it is safe because of that.

REMEMBER: Don’t be tricked by the words that are used to describe intervention effects. When possible, consider the numbers that describe how big an effect is and not just the words.