Methods reading room: what analytical reports actually establish · RESEARCH-29469

Case 48 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible · source wording exercise

A subgroup finding was not the primary planned analysis. How should it be summarised?

Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase. Use the original answer fragment “Treat exploratory findings as hypothesis-generating rather…” as the discussion anchor; no new event or result is supplied.

Exercise RESEARCH-29469/48: address this question within its stated limits.

Case 48 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible · source wording exercise

Clarification for “Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible”: the point beginning “Treat exploratory findings as hypothesis-generating rather…” belongs to the question as written. It should not be read as a report that a new check, purchase or experiment has been completed. Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase.

Case 48 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible · source wording exercise

Method note for “Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible”: use “Treat exploratory findings as hypothesis-generating rather…” as a row heading in a proposed working record. Put the statement, its supporting source or measurement, and any unresolved detail in separate fields. This proposes a format; it supplies no additional evidence. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase.

Case 48 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible · source wording exercise

Correction note for “Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible”: retain the wording beginning “Treat exploratory findings as hypothesis-generating rather…” in the record. If later material changes it, add the date, the changed wording and the source for that change; do not invent a completed correction here. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase.

Case 48 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible · source wording exercise

Limit of the answer in “Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible”: “Treat exploratory findings as hypothesis-generating rather…” is an excerpt from the discussion, not an independent verification. A reader needs the relevant original material before treating an interpretation as established. Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase.

Case 48 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible · source wording exercise

Summary draft for “Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible”: the answer addresses “Treat exploratory findings as hypothesis-generating rather…”; the related point is “State whether it was prespecified and how…”. Keep both connected to the opening question, and mark any conclusion needing further records as unresolved. Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase.

Case 48 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible · source wording exercise

Reader check for “Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible”: distinguish the discussion point “Treat exploratory findings as hypothesis-generating rather…” from its proposed application. The thread offers a way to reason about the question, without adding a personal experience or a newly observed outcome. Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase.

Case 49 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · comparison exercise

A chart caption names a mechanism but omits the observed endpoint. How can the caption be made precise?

Review focus: comparison. Make the basis of a comparison explicit before interpreting it. Use the original answer fragment “Describe the measurement, population or model,…” as the discussion anchor; no new event or result is supplied.

Exercise RESEARCH-29469/49: address this question within its stated limits.

Case 49 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · comparison exercise

Clarification for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: the point beginning “Describe the measurement, population or model,…” belongs to the question as written. It should not be read as a report that a new check, purchase or experiment has been completed. Review focus: comparison. Make the basis of a comparison explicit before interpreting it.

Case 49 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · comparison exercise

Method note for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: use “Describe the measurement, population or model,…” as a row heading in a proposed working record. Put the statement, its supporting source or measurement, and any unresolved detail in separate fields. This proposes a format; it supplies no additional evidence. Make the basis of a comparison explicit before interpreting it.

Case 49 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · comparison exercise

Limit of the answer in “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: “Describe the measurement, population or model,…” is an excerpt from the discussion, not an independent verification. A reader needs the relevant original material before treating an interpretation as established. Review focus: comparison. Make the basis of a comparison explicit before interpreting it.

Case 49 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · comparison exercise

Correction note for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: retain the wording beginning “Describe the measurement, population or model,…” in the record. If later material changes it, add the date, the changed wording and the source for that change; do not invent a completed correction here. Make the basis of a comparison explicit before interpreting it.

Case 49 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · comparison exercise

Summary draft for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: the answer addresses “Describe the measurement, population or model,…”; the related point is “Interpretive discussion belongs alongside the evidence, not…”. Keep both connected to the opening question, and mark any conclusion needing further records as unresolved. Review focus: comparison. Make the basis of a comparison explicit before interpreting it.

Case 50 — Data provenance: keep source, transformation and output together · comparison exercise

A table has been copied into a new format without its source or transformation notes. What should accompany it?

Review focus: comparison. Make the basis of a comparison explicit before interpreting it. Use the original answer fragment “Keep the source citation, retrieval date and a…” as the discussion anchor; no new event or result is supplied.

Exercise RESEARCH-29469/50: address this question within its stated limits.

Case 49 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · comparison exercise

Reader check for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: distinguish the discussion point “Describe the measurement, population or model,…” from its proposed application. The thread offers a way to reason about the question, without adding a personal experience or a newly observed outcome. Review focus: comparison. Make the basis of a comparison explicit before interpreting it.