Fuzzy language - SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information

12-29-2004, 05:13 PM

The following list of phrases and their definitions might help you understand the fuzzy language of science and medicine. These special phrases are also applicable to anyone reading a PhD dissertation or academic paper.

"IT HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN"...
I didn't look up the original reference.

"A DEFINITE TREND IS EVIDENT"...
These data are practically meaningless.

"WHILE IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE DEFINITE ANSWERS
TO THE QUESTIONS"...
An unsuccessful experiment but I still hope to get it published.

"THREE OF THE SAMPLES WERE CHOSEN FOR DETAILED STUDY"...
The other results didn't make any sense.

"TYPICAL RESULTS ARE SHOWN"...
This is the prettiest graph.

"THESE RESULTS WILL BE IN A SUBSEQUENT REPORT"...
I might get around to this sometime, if pushed/funded.

"IN MY EXPERIENCE"...
Once.

"IN CASE AFTER CASE"...
Twice.

"IN A SERIES OF CASES"...
Thrice.

"IT IS BELIEVED THAT"...
I think.

"IT IS GENERALLY BELIEVED THAT"...
A couple of others think so, too.

"CORRECT WITHIN AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE" ...
Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.

"ACCORDING TO STATISTICAL ANALYSIS"...
Rumor has it.

"A STATISTICALLY-ORIENTED PROJECTION OF THE SIGNIFICANCE
OF THESE FINDINGS"...
A really wild guess.

"A CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF OBTAINABLE DATA"...
Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a beer glass.

"IT IS CLEAR THAT MUCH ADDITIONAL WORK WILL BE REQUIRED
BEFORE A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PHENOMENON OCCURS"...
I don't understand it....and I never will.

"AFTER ADDITIONAL STUDY BY MY COLLEAGUES"...
They don't understand it either.

"A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT AREA FOR EXPLORATORY STUDY"...
A totally useless topic selected by my committee.

"IT IS HOPED THAT THIS STUDY WILL STIMULATE FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN THIS
FIELD"...
I am pleased to feed you bullshit.

**Ann** · 12-29-2004, 05:20 PM

Love it!! Not just science or medicine, but every political speech I have ever heard.

historyteach · 12-29-2004, 05:51 PM

Hey, can I use some of these for my thesis?

L'Chaim!

Phinneas · 12-30-2004, 02:47 AM

I never believe that stuff because it's been proven that three out of every four statistics are wrong anyway.
:doh:

LOL

jojo

3legacy · 12-30-2004, 10:38 AM

Doug

:
Makes a lot of sense out of the thousands of pages of Environmental Impact Statements, Final Findings & Determinations, etc... I had to read over the years on environmental issues. Seems they put rural communities & neighbors out of work for the simple pleasures of urban concrete dwellers who don't practice what they preach. OPPSS getting a little political here but I'm still smiling at spotted owl nonsense so easily taken as fact by the ignorant masses.

I'll stick with the clear-cut directions out of the Big Book. LOL

Although, Michael Crichton's latest book is pretty good to.

12-29-2004, 05:13 PM	#1 (permalink)
Doug Guest Posts: n/a	Fuzzy language The following list of phrases and their definitions might help you understand the fuzzy language of science and medicine. These special phrases are also applicable to anyone reading a PhD dissertation or academic paper. "IT HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN"... I didn't look up the original reference. "A DEFINITE TREND IS EVIDENT"... These data are practically meaningless. "WHILE IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE DEFINITE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS"... An unsuccessful experiment but I still hope to get it published. "THREE OF THE SAMPLES WERE CHOSEN FOR DETAILED STUDY"... The other results didn't make any sense. "TYPICAL RESULTS ARE SHOWN"... This is the prettiest graph. "THESE RESULTS WILL BE IN A SUBSEQUENT REPORT"... I might get around to this sometime, if pushed/funded. "IN MY EXPERIENCE"... Once. "IN CASE AFTER CASE"... Twice. "IN A SERIES OF CASES"... Thrice. "IT IS BELIEVED THAT"... I think. "IT IS GENERALLY BELIEVED THAT"... A couple of others think so, too. "CORRECT WITHIN AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE" ... Wrong. Wrong. Wrong. "ACCORDING TO STATISTICAL ANALYSIS"... Rumor has it. "A STATISTICALLY-ORIENTED PROJECTION OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE FINDINGS"... A really wild guess. "A CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF OBTAINABLE DATA"... Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a beer glass. "IT IS CLEAR THAT MUCH ADDITIONAL WORK WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PHENOMENON OCCURS"... I don't understand it....and I never will. "AFTER ADDITIONAL STUDY BY MY COLLEAGUES"... They don't understand it either. "A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT AREA FOR EXPLORATORY STUDY"... A totally useless topic selected by my committee. "IT IS HOPED THAT THIS STUDY WILL STIMULATE FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN THIS FIELD"... I am pleased to feed you bullshit.

12-29-2004, 05:20 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ann Forum Leader Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: By The Lake Posts: 25,172	Love it!! Not just science or medicine, but every political speech I have ever heard. __________________ “Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” ~Winnie the Pooh~

12-29-2004, 05:51 PM	#3 (permalink)
historyteach To Life! Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Rhode Island Posts: 9,303	Hey, can I use some of these for my thesis? L'Chaim! __________________ IMAGINE

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12-30-2004, 02:47 AM	#4 (permalink)
Phinneas Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: fumbling towards ecstasy Posts: 2,614	I never believe that stuff because it's been proven that three out of every four statistics are wrong anyway. :doh: LOL jojo

12-30-2004, 10:38 AM	#5 (permalink)
3legacy Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Beaver, WA Posts: 1,346	Doug : Makes a lot of sense out of the thousands of pages of Environmental Impact Statements, Final Findings & Determinations, etc... I had to read over the years on environmental issues. Seems they put rural communities & neighbors out of work for the simple pleasures of urban concrete dwellers who don't practice what they preach. OPPSS getting a little political here but I'm still smiling at spotted owl nonsense so easily taken as fact by the ignorant masses. I'll stick with the clear-cut directions out of the Big Book. LOL Although, Michael Crichton's latest book is pretty good to.

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