Writing Book 7 · Lesson 38

Analyzing data — use the words

These phrases announce what a piece of research DID. They are only honest if it did it.

The words

the data show
the facts say
a correlation
a link
a trend
a direction
the average
the middle amount
a peak
the highest point
fluctuate
go up and down
account for X per cent
make up
an outlier
one odd result
statistically significant
not by chance
margin of error
how far off it may be

Watch how it is built

1the data show means about the same as the facts say.
The data show a steady rise.
2a correlation means about the same as a link.
There is a correlation between heat and growth.
3a trend means about the same as a direction.
The trend is upward.

Two ways to say it

✗ The data show a steady rise. — this is not wrong, but it is everyday talk.

✓ The data show a steady rise. — this is how a writer says it.

Ask yourself: “Did I actually do what this phrase says I did?”

Remember

An average hides the spread. Say when that matters.

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