Methods reading room: what analytical reports actually establish · RESEARCH-31193

Case 30 — Data provenance: keep source, transformation and output together · source wording exercise

Reader check for “Data provenance: keep source, transformation and output together”: distinguish the discussion point “Make synthetic examples explicit and never combine them…” 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 32 — A durable glossary entry for an ambiguous abbreviation · source wording exercise

Limit of the answer in “A durable glossary entry for an ambiguous abbreviation”: “Add a cross-reference for alternate meanings rather than assuming that every…” 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 45 — A correction log for an archive article · source wording exercise

Clarification for “A correction log for an archive article”: the point beginning “Keep the correction visible to readers who may have…” 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 43 — Reproducibility checklist for a bench-method discussion · source wording exercise

Clarification for “Reproducibility checklist for a bench-method discussion”: the point beginning “Keep this as research documentation and do not turn…” 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 24 — Selection bias in a self-reported forum sample

A collection of forum reports is being treated as a representative sample. What limitations belong in the note?

Exercise RESEARCH-31193/24: address this question within its stated limits.

Case 43 — Reproducibility checklist for a bench-method discussion · source wording exercise

Limit of the answer in “Reproducibility checklist for a bench-method discussion”: “Keep this as research documentation and do not turn…” 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 39 — Correlation in a small observational dataset · source wording exercise

Summary draft for “Correlation in a small observational dataset”: the answer addresses “Association does not identify direction or causation, and…”; the related point is “Report sample size, potential confounders…”. 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 24 — Selection bias in a self-reported forum sample

Discuss who chose to post, missing outcomes, unverifiable records and changes in reporting over time. Such material can suggest questions but cannot establish population-level rates.

Case 34 — Two laboratories, two percentages: are they measuring the same thing? · source wording exercise

Clarification for “Two laboratories, two percentages: are they measuring the same thing?”: the point beginning “Do not subtract the two percentages as though they represented…” 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 46 — Animal evidence and the limits of translation · source wording exercise

An animal experiment is cited as though it establishes a human outcome. What qualification is required?

Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase. Use the original answer fragment “Differences in biology and study conditions limit translation; the…” as the discussion anchor; no new event or result is supplied.

Exercise RESEARCH-31193/46: address this question within its stated limits.

Case 24 — Selection bias in a self-reported forum sample

Clarification for “Selection bias in a self-reported forum sample”: the point beginning “Discuss who chose to post, missing outcomes, unverifiable records…” 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: scope. Keep the stated question separate from any broader claim.

Case 42 — Preprint versus peer-reviewed publication · source wording exercise

Summary draft for “Preprint versus peer-reviewed publication”: the answer addresses “Publication status is useful context but is not itself a…”; the related point is “Link both versions, record dates and check whether…”. 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 31 — Clinical questions in an archive discussion · source wording exercise

Clarification for “Clinical questions in an archive discussion”: the point beginning “Individual decisions belong with a qualified clinician who…” 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 40 — Units and scale: prevent a silent comparison error · source wording exercise

Correction note for “Units and scale: prevent a silent comparison error”: retain the wording beginning “Do not compare apparent visual distances…” 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 41 — Reading an abstract without skipping the methods · source wording exercise

Summary draft for “Reading an abstract without skipping the methods”: the answer addresses “Assess whether the conclusion extends beyond the measurements and note what…”; the related point is “Identify population, design, comparator, outcome…”. 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.