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Averages hide unequal group sizes

Mistake Clinic · Inspect the reasoning before opening the diagnosis.

Learn → Try → ExplainReviewed 2026-10-15
01

The questionable claim

A report averages campaign conversion percentages and presents it as the overall conversion rate.

02

Investigate

Identify the unit of analysis, denominator, population or information boundary. What extra evidence would be needed? Write a corrected statement first.

Diagnosis and repair

Use sum(conversions)/sum(clicks)=54/900=6%. Taking the simple mean of Search 10%,Social 2%,Email 10% gives 7.33%, a different equally weighted campaign statistic.

04

Prevention

Add a test or review question that catches the error before publication. Save the original and corrected explanation so your reasoning is auditable.

Make the reasoning yours.

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