Thursday, 30 September 2010

Words and Phrases that Make Me Cringe

"Research suggests" and "scientists say", followed by almost any unlikely claims. What research? Scientists in which precise discipline? Who are they? What was it? How can I judge the value of the information being peddled, without knowing what those phrases really mean?
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5 comments:

  1. The Parrot30 September 2010 at 10:55

    I'm half-sure you've already seen this, but if not, it's a must-read.

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/the-lay-scientist/2010/sep/24/1

    ReplyDelete
  2. Kevin Musgrove30 September 2010 at 20:23

    "statistics show," "sources state" and "time gentlemen please"

    ReplyDelete
  3. Anonymous30 September 2010 at 23:49

    You're supposed to just BELIEVE

    ReplyDelete
  4. zmkc1 October 2010 at 11:07

    Parrot, I shall look at that.
    Kevin, statistics, ugh
    Nurse, research shows that you're supposed to just believe (and scientists say so too)

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous6 October 2010 at 11:12

    Or, to combine the two: "Scientific tests have proven..."

    ReplyDelete

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