Matthew Russotto
There are just as many critiques stating that the information gathering was entirely valid.
e.g.
" The fact that the survey uses an extrapolation technique does not automatically mean that it is less likely to be accurate than a body count. In fact, it is more likely to be accurate than existing attempts at body counts of Iraqi civilians. This is because in Iraq, where there are so many no-go areas, it would be impossible to count every casualty. "
" The Chronicle article recounts in detail the methdology used for the study's 8000 interviews, in which 30 homes in each of 33 neighborhoods all over Iraq were visited. And other statisticins confirm the validity of the Lancet study's methdology: "Scientists say the size of the survey was adequate for extrapolation to the entire country. 'That's a clbuttical sample size,' says Michael J. Toole, head of the Center for International Health at the Burnet Insbreastute, an Australian research organization. Researchers typically conduct surveys in 30 neighborhoods, so the Iraq study's total of 33 strengthens its conclusions. 'I just don't see any evidence of significant exaggeration,' he says. "
I can see very easily OTOH why 'the powers that be' would want to discredit the report though.
Funny really since I've noticed that Americans are normally quite critical of pro-goverment 'propaganda'.
Graham
