Article View: net.misc.coke
Article #237Re: Taste Test
From: J. Eric Roskos
Date: Fri, 09 Aug 1985 12:22
Date: Fri, 09 Aug 1985 12:22
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> In order to broadcast their taste test commercials, I'm sure that Pepsi had
> to use a very large sample of the population ...
I don't think this is true, unless the commercials claim a large sample was
taken. Consider similar "statistical" claims in commercials:
"More doctors recommend the pain reliever in <brand> than any other
pain reliever on the market today."
(Because <brand> contains aspirin. Even if no doctors recommend <brand>,
the claim is still valid.)
"More Olympic medalists use <brand> running shoes than any other."
(Because <brand> donates them. I'm not sure, however, that this sort of
claim is allowed any more.)
"Choosy mothers choose <brand>."
(Makes no statistical claim at all.)
"9 out of 10 dentists surveyed recommend <brand> for their patients
who use <generic type>."
(The sample size here could be 10; furthermore, all of them could have said,
"I don't recommend using <generic type> at all, but I guess if people insist
on using it, <brand> would be a good choice.")
Awhile back, I asked in here about the relative temperature of the sodas in
the Pepsi taste test. This is because, back when the test was going on, a
number of people at the college I was attending participated in the test;
all of them INSISTED that the Pepsi had ice in it, whereas the Coke was
room-temperature. I have never figured out whether this was just a rampant
rumor, or the truth in all cases, or just the local people running the
taste test trying to improve the results. (You should therefore assume it
was a rumor unless you can determine otherwise!)
--
Shyy-Anzr: J. Eric Roskos
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Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 9/18/84; site peora.UUCP Path: arc1-ca.pugleaf.net!utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!seismo!lll-crg!dual!qantel!hplabs!tektronix!uw-beaver!cornell!vax135!petsd!peora!jer From: jer@peora.UUCP (J. Eric Roskos) Newsgroups: net.misc.coke Subject: Re: Taste Test Message-ID: <1462@peora.UUCP> Date: Fri, 9-Aug-85 08:22:44 EDT Article-I.D.: peora.1462 Posted: Fri Aug 9 08:22:44 1985 Date-Received: Wed, 14-Aug-85 22:21:08 EDT References: <55@tekchips.UUCP> Organization: Perkin-Elmer SDC, Orlando, Fl. Lines: 44