"What Happens When IMPLAN Data Is Misused?
When IMPLAN data is misused, studies can end up with unrealistic results. One example of this happened in 2012, when a presidential candidate’s campaign used IMPLAN data to study his tax proposal. Unfortunately, the candidate’s campaign and its analyst never stated their assumptions. This analyst made assumptions that led one media report to state that the report “falls well short of rigorous or independent economic analysis.”
When questioned, we told the media what we always do—that impact studies are only as strong as the assumptions as the analist put into that study. The fact that this campaign and its analyst declined to discuss their assumptions clearly called the results into question."
The City of Greensboro uses IMPLAN. Also from that same webpage:
"We DO encourage people to debate the assumptions behind studies done with IMPLAN data. We realize that differing assumptions lead to differing results."
In other words, the makers of IMPLAN software will not guarantee the Wyndham Hotel Study as accurate, honest or representative of what is actually true. And finally:
"Questions the Media Can Ask to Better Understand a Study
What data was used in this study? (If the data is from IMPLAN, we are happy to answer your questions about how it was created.)
Was the IMPLAN data customized? If so, how? Why?
What assumptions are behind this study? (i.e. What values did you enter into the IMPLAN system, Why those numbers?)
How many assumptions were made for this study? Is this enough information to create a thorough study?
Has anyone done a similar study with different results? If so, what assumptions were behind that study? How do these assumptions differ?"
Did Greensboro's local media outlets ask any of these questions before publishing the results of the Wyndham Hotel Study? The Greensboro Performing Arts Center Study? The Project Haystack Study? Well, did they?
