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?

5 comments:

  1. 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

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

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  3. You're supposed to just BELIEVE

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

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

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