Methods reading room: what analytical reports actually establish · RESEARCH-00405

Case 24 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible

Method note for “Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible”: use “State whether it was prespecified and how…” 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. Keep the stated question separate from any broader claim.

Case 24 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible

Limit of the answer in “Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible”: “State whether it was prespecified and how…” 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: scope. Keep the stated question separate from any broader claim.

Case 24 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible

Correction note for “Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible”: retain the wording beginning “State whether it was prespecified and how…” 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. Keep the stated question separate from any broader claim.

Case 24 — Exploratory subgroup analysis: keep the label visible

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

Case 25 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · source wording exercise

Clarification for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: the point beginning “Interpretive discussion belongs alongside the evidence, not…” 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 25 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · source wording exercise

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

Review focus: source wording. Retain the source wording beside any paraphrase. Use the original answer fragment “Interpretive discussion belongs alongside the evidence, not…” as the discussion anchor; no new event or result is supplied.

Exercise RESEARCH-00405/25: address this question within its stated limits.

Case 25 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · source wording exercise

Method note for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: use “Interpretive discussion belongs alongside the evidence, not…” 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 25 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · source wording exercise

Limit of the answer in “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: “Interpretive discussion belongs alongside the evidence, not…” 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 25 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · source wording exercise

Correction note for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: retain the wording beginning “Interpretive discussion belongs alongside the evidence, not…” 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 25 — Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured · source wording exercise

Summary draft for “Research figure captions: tell the reader what was measured”: the answer addresses “Interpretive discussion belongs alongside the evidence, not…”; the related point is “Describe the measurement, population or model,…”. 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 25 — 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 26 — 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-00405/26: address this question within its stated limits.

Case 26 — 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.

Case 26 — Data provenance: keep source, transformation and output together · source wording exercise

Method note for “Data provenance: keep source, transformation and output together”: use “Make synthetic examples explicit and never combine them…” 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 26 — Data provenance: keep source, transformation and output together · source wording exercise

Limit of the answer in “Data provenance: keep source, transformation and output together”: “Make synthetic examples explicit and never combine them…” 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.