It was reported that at a certain university in the United States, only 50% of the student athletes in the major sports programs (Division 1 football and basketball) were graduating within the standard four-year period. The announcement was greeted with great howls of anguish by both the local press and many of the university’s alumni and faculty.

A chorus of voices moaned that this just goes to prove that the “dumb jock” image is indeed still alive and well. Before the hand-wringing gets too out of control, what might you as a fledgling researcher point out with regard to the value of comparison groups?