This is how statistics are used in the press to sway opinion. Authority is granted for those who say things like 8.7% and call trends thusly without performing

This is how statistics are used in the press to sway opinion. Authority is granted for those who say things like 8.7% and call trends thusly without performing any tests to see if the findings are even significant. Most people don't know what the word significance means in terms of statistics; the press knows this and therefor doesn't bother reporting it or worse, touts insignificant results as significant by doing this 'eyeball' analysis versus real statistical analysis that can support findings.