PSI Tutor:Mentor

“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” – 1 This is the prettiest graph  or   2 The best results are shown.

“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.

“According to statistical analysis” – Rumor has it.

“A statistically-oriented projection of the significance of these findings” – A wild guess.

“A careful analysis of obtainable data” – Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a glass iced tea.

“It is clear that much additional work will be required before a complete understanding of this phenomenon occurs” – 1. I don’t understand it  of 2. I need more grant money  or  3.  I can get at least one more paper out of this.

“After additional study by my colleagues” – They don’t understand it either.

“Thanks are due to Joe Blotz for assistance with the experiment and to Cindy Adams for valuable discussions” – Mr. Blotz did the work and Ms. Adams explained to me what it meant.

“A highly significant area for exploratory study” – A totally useless topic selected by my committee.

“Accidentally stained during mounting” – Accidentally dropped on the floor.

“Handled with extreme care during the experiments” – Not dropped on the floor.

“Presumably at longer times” – I didn’t take the time to find out.

“The best values were those of Jones” – He was a student of mine.

“It might be argued that” – I have such a good answer for this objection that I want to be sure I get to use it.

“This paper will omit a review of the more recent literature in favor of” – I don’t know if anything has been written on this since my dissertation.

“Various authorities agree” – I overheard this in the hall.

“It is suggested that” – I wonder if…

“The implications are clear.” – The implications are not clear (or I would have specified what they are).

“It was observed that” – One of my students noticed that.

“No discussion would be complete without reference to the contributions of” – I need another footnote on this page.

“Of great theoretical and practical importance” – Of interest to me.

“This research has left many questions unanswered.” – I didn’t find anything of significance.

“This finding has not yet been incorporated into general theory” – Perhaps my next graduate student will make sense of it.

“It is hoped that this study will stimulate further investigation in this field” – I quit.

This collection came compliments of “Bobs” (2007) at Tribe.

Share you scientific phrases?

• You Know More than You Think (scientificamerican.com)
• PsychExchange.co.uk Shared Resource (slideshare.net)
• PsychExchange.co.uk Shared Resource (slideshare.net)