Language use for interpreting data

Tell the reader how you want them to interpret the data

Instead of showing your perspectives by using expressions such as “in our opinion”, “we consider that”, you can tell the reader to judge or interpret your data from a certain standpoint. This technique may help to underscore the reliability of your data.

Example:

Overall, the experimental findings are promising since the framework suggests a practical guide for imaging and evaluating soil types. Under these conditions, the findings pose a new perspective on characterising all soil types via modern imaging techniques.

In the example above, the author has indicated that the reader should interpret their findings only ‘under these conditions’. This expression underscores the reliability of the data.

Here are some examples of this language use:

  • Interpreted in this way, the findings suggest a different trend.
  • From this point of view, the model posed a new perspective on how to best equip students with integrated work learning skills during their study.
  • From such an angle, our findings assume a different meaning.
  • From this viewpoint, our data suggest a very different model of evaluating graduates’ career impacts.
  • In this view, these data findings may mean that a photo's content has an effect on a tourist’s sharing behaviour.
  • Under these conditions, the results shed new light on building a framework for “graduate employability in context”.

Make sure your data is the subject of the sentence

A similar approach to increase the reliability of your data is to make your data the subject of the sentence. This technique helps you to take a neutral stance by distancing yourself from your own findings.

Example: ​​

Both the quantitative and qualitative data of the study provide nuanced insights on how students' learning abroad inspires them to shape and reshape their career orientations.

In the example above, the author has made the data the subject of the sentence in order to create a distance between themselves and their findings, and therefore conveying a neutral stance.

Here are some examples of this language use:

  • These data indicate that the current domestic gas prices are far below market prices.
  • The evidence favours the conclusion that the time-out discipline strategy has major drawbacks.
  • The model predicted that the population of the region may reach a peak in 2030 and then decline.
  • From this discussion, it would appear that positive treatment, such as brushing, could reduce fear and kicking among cattle.
  • The hypothesis seems plausible because fear and loneliness are considered threats to mental health.
  • This phenomenon confirms the weather patterns observed within 50km of a selected location and date.