Page 182 - English for Writing Research Papers

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9.10 Explain why you did not study certain data
Other limitations relating to data are that i) you did not study the most recent data,
ii) you did not study a sufficient amount of data. You can deal with these two limita-

tions by writing in your Discussion or Conclusions:
S1 Even though the data were collected two years ago, the stability of this sector means that

such data have not changed significantly. In fact, in the last two years the percentage of x
has remained exactly the same [Wang 2017, Chu Wa 2018]. In addition, more recent data
are not currently available.
S2 Our data only refer to one kind of sector. However, as far as we know there are no
similar studies for this sector in South Korea. Thus we believe that this project opens
the way for …

In S1 you justify old data by saying that nothing has changed since the time that data
was collected. In S2 you say that in the country that is the subject of your research
(in this case South Korea), such data are not available, and you protect yourself
by saying as far as we know (see Chapter 10 ).

9.11 Tell the reader from what standpoint you wish them

to view your data
Rather than using expressions such as in our view and we believe , which clearly
express your point of view, you can tell the reader from which standpoint you want
them to interpret or judge your data.

This tactic works best with humanistic disciplines.

Here are some examples:

Viewed / Seen in this way , the data take on a different meaning.

From this alternative perspective , these findings shed new light on…

From an X point of view , the results can be interpreted very differently

From such a standpoint , our data assume a very different signifi cance.
In this view , these data may mean that…

Under these conditions , it is legitimate to pose a new perspective on…

This technique has the effect of distancing you from your own data, and it may help
to increase your credibility.