Hi I don't buy the criticism of "the data showed" or various similar constructions. Do not the riots in the middle east demonstrate /show / reveal something about the level of dissatisfaction there? Do not examples demonstrate / show something? Are riots and examples any different than data?
I found some relevant references, including http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VDM-465D8DN-X&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F1991&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=gateway&_origin=gateway&_sort=d&_docanchor=&view=c&_searchStrId=1686012685&_rerunOrigin=google&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=fef6dde5ff1d413b2b3327c3db35677c&searchtype=a or for same abstract http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0889-4906(91)90013-M See part III in the following http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CB0QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fdialnet.unirioja.es%2Fservlet%2Ffichero_articulo%3Fcodigo%3D2526431%26orden%3D0&rct=j&q=verbs%20animate%20and%20inanimate%20subjects%20science%20writing&ei=HTSGTZ_eKfK80QHAy7XDCA&usg=AFQjCNHW_Qq1kIql7hjbiUfrhS853wMTzw or for same pdf http://www.google.ca/url?q=http://dialnet.unirioja.es/servlet/fichero_articulo%3Fcodigo%3D2526431%26orden%3D0&ei=oTSGTbaJBMGR0QGSm_j1Bg&sa=X&oi=unauthorizedredirect&ct=targetlink&ust=1300642729067716&usg=AFQjCNGm8R8uivVZ75FFXKSmbGNXbIosrg Interesting discussion (full text I think) here by same author as first paper, Peter Master: http://books.google.ca/books?id=NS-ArVhRmJ0C&pg=PA169&lpg=PA169&dq=verbs+animate+and+inanimate+subjects+science+writing&source=bl&ots=A8chLjBbgC&sig=nC1zDHdqQCFfE8xZLXS84xM5S8s&hl=en&ei=HTSGTZ_eKfK80QHAy7XDCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=3&ved=0CCYQ6AEwAg#v=onepage&q=verbs%20animate%20and%20inanimate%20subjects%20science%20writing&f=false Master makes the point that non-native speakers of English may have particular difficulty with the inanimate subject - animate verb construction, which is allowed in English (and used widely in scientific writing), but may not be allowed in other languages. He presents empirical data on just how common this structure is in scientific writing. Of course, authors trying to persuade editors / reviewers of the error of their ways has highly variable outcomes! Take care Jim James M. Clark Professor of Psychology 204-786-9757 204-774-4134 Fax [email protected] >>> Carol DeVolder <[email protected]> 20-Mar-11 10:58:00 AM >>> Hi Annette, How about something like, "analysis of the data revealed..." or "examination of the data (results, etc.)...?" Carol On Sun, Mar 20, 2011 at 10:53 AM, Annette Taylor <[email protected]>wrote: > I'm grappling with how to phrase some things in results sections > especially. Because data are an inanimate thing they can't really "show" or > "demonstrate" anything. Nor can a study do anything such as "observe" or > "define" so what kind of language do you all use. Is there some boilerplate > that works. > > I have a revision to an APA journal that asked me to fix these things...and > I'm struggling with the data especially. Lengthy rewriting of "the study..." > Finally fixed some of those problems. It came at a huge cost to precision > and concise writing. > > Annette > > Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone > --- > You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. > To unsubscribe click here: > http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=177920.a45340211ac7929163a0216244443341&n=T&l=tips&o=9499 > > or send a blank email to > leave-<leave-9499-177920.a45340211ac7929163a0216244443...@fsulist.frostburg.edu> > 9499-177920.a45340211ac7929163a0216244443...@fsulist.frostburg.edu -- Carol DeVolder, Ph.D. Professor and Chair, Department of Psychology St. Ambrose University 518 West Locust Street Davenport, Iowa 52803 563-333-6482 This e-mail might be confidential, so please don't share it. --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a891720c9&n=T&l=tips&o=9500 or send a blank email to leave-9500-13251.645f86b5cec4da0a56ffea7a89172...@fsulist.frostburg.edu --- You are currently subscribed to tips as: [email protected]. To unsubscribe click here: http://fsulist.frostburg.edu/u?id=13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df5d5&n=T&l=tips&o=9504 or send a blank email to leave-9504-13090.68da6e6e5325aa33287ff385b70df...@fsulist.frostburg.edu
