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

Case 39 — Correlation in a small observational dataset · source wording exercise

Correction note for “Correlation in a small observational dataset”: retain the wording beginning “Association does not identify direction or causation, and…” 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 29 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · source wording exercise

Reader check for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: distinguish the discussion point “Interpretive discussion belongs alongside the evidence, not…” 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 36 — A correction log that survives the next archive update · source wording exercise

Reader check for “A correction log that survives the next archive update”: distinguish the discussion point “They have different sources and may…” 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 36 — A correction log that survives the next archive update · source wording exercise

Clarification for “A correction log that survives the next archive update”: the point beginning “They have different sources and may…” 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 38 — A literature note that separates hypothesis from observation · source wording exercise

Summary draft for “A literature note that separates hypothesis from observation”: the answer addresses “Keep speculation explicitly labelled and avoid translating…”; the related point is “State the study design and what was actually measured…”. 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 40 — Units and scale: prevent a silent comparison error · source wording exercise

Summary draft for “Units and scale: prevent a silent comparison error”: the answer addresses “Do not compare apparent visual distances…”; the related point is “Record the original units and axis transformation, show any conversion…”. 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 37 — Assay-specific reference ranges: what must travel with a result? · source wording exercise

Limit of the answer in “Assay-specific reference ranges: what must travel with a result?”: “A forum comparison cannot diagnose a condition; a qualified…” 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 34 — Two laboratories, two percentages: are they measuring the same thing? · source wording exercise

Reader check for “Two laboratories, two percentages: are they measuring the same thing?”: distinguish the discussion point “Do not subtract the two percentages as though they represented…” 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 30 — Data provenance: keep source, transformation and output together · source wording exercise

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

Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase. Use the original answer fragment “Make synthetic examples explicit and never combine them…” as the discussion anchor; no new event or result is supplied.

Exercise RESEARCH-31193/30: address this question within its stated limits.

Case 45 — A correction log for an archive article · source wording exercise

Limit of the answer in “A correction log for an archive article”: “Keep the correction visible to readers who may have…” 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 34 — Two laboratories, two percentages: are they measuring the same thing? · source wording exercise

Method note for “Two laboratories, two percentages: are they measuring the same thing?”: use “Do not subtract the two percentages as though they represented…” 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 41 — Reading an abstract without skipping the methods · source wording exercise

Reader check for “Reading an abstract without skipping the methods”: distinguish the discussion point “Assess whether the conclusion extends beyond the measurements and note what…” 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 35 — Reading a preclinical paper: what belongs beside the abstract? · source wording exercise

Correction note for “Reading a preclinical paper: what belongs beside the abstract?”: retain the wording beginning “The reader should be able to see what was…” 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 44 — Confidence intervals: describe uncertainty explicitly · source wording exercise

A result is described only as statistically significant. What information is missing?

Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase. Use the original answer fragment “Statistical significance alone does not establish…” as the discussion anchor; no new event or result is supplied.

Exercise RESEARCH-31193/44: address this question within its stated limits.

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

Clarification for “Data provenance: keep source, transformation and output together”: the point beginning “Make synthetic examples explicit and never combine them…” 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.