A poll sponsored by ufologists Budd Hopkins and David M. Jacobs in 1991 estimated that nearly 4 million Americans (about 2 percent of the population) had been abducted by aliens. This claim is disputed by skeptics, who question the methods used to determine the number of abductees. More people appear to believe in the existence of aliens, though; a 1996 Gallup poll reports that 72 percent of Americans believe there is life beyond Earth. However, just because people believe in extraterrestrial life does NOT mean that aliens have visited Earth and abducted humans for scientific experiments.

When considering statistical evidence, it is important to know who collected the information and how long ago it was done. Polls conducted by groups other than independent polling organizations such as Gallup or news groups sometimes have biased questions that lead to the desired result. For example, whereas independent organizations are more likely...