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His interest is in the 20,000 or in the percentage or fraction of the 20,000. The reporter must
translate or project the raw data to make the meaning clear: "Our opinion poll shows that about
50% of voters favour X party."
The report should not force the readers to do the arithmetic. Thats the report writer's job. Once
the reader understands what the data really say, he can give attention to their possible
significance.
2.) Sometimes the task of simplifying involves complicated tables and charts. The elements of
possible significance must be extracted for special attention.
Example: Out of the total last 20 innings of Sachin Tendulkar, it may be sufficient to call
attention to just 8 representative inningsthe eight that emphasize the general trend (getting out
in 90s).
A statistical table gives equal emphasis to every item in it; the writer's job is to provide the
comparative emphasis that different items deserve.
3.) A summary of data frequently requires definitions. The average reader often gets false
impressions from statistical statements that he does not fully understand. The statistical unit
the thing counted or weighed may be misinterpreted. Perhaps a short phrase will serve as
definition, but if longer explanations required, it must be included.
A report citing figures on "unnecessary accidents" must obviously point out the distinction
between those counted as "unnecessary" and those counted as "unavoidable".
4.) To simplify essential evidence as much as possible, the writer often translates totals into rates
or percentages.
The number of accidents in Delhi can't be compared with that of in Dehradun, but the accident
rates or percentages in the two cities.
When a simple expression can be both colourful and accurate, that is exactly the one to use.
Critical Evaluation of the Data:
The report writer is of course responsible to his reader for the reliability and validity of what he
reports.
Evaluation of evidence and sources of evidence, wherever it appears, is an important
responsibility of the report writer.
For sources, some tests to be taken:
1. How well qualified is the source (the agency, the man, the publication, or the group
supplying the data.)?
2. Is the source sufficiently unprejudiced? A labour union's statistics on the relation of
wages to corporation profits must be received as cautiously as similar statistics from the
association of manufacturers. Simply view the evidence with more critical attention than
might otherwise be necessary.
For internal evidence, test is suggested
How consistent is the evidence:
1. Within itself
2. With other evidence
3. With established physical laws
For example: A report may say, "Workers dislike the system intensely." Yet also show that fewer
workers are leaving their jobs--- here one statement contradicts another.
If tables show an increased number of hours lost for repairs but a decrease in the cost of repairing
the apparatus, discrepancy calls for explanation.
Logical Conclusions:
The conclusions stated in a report, should of course, be logical outcomes from that data.
Interpretations of statistics are sometimes illogical because key terms are ambiguous.
For example: Average is a frequent source of confusion. In statistics it has three different
meanings: the arithmetic mean, the median or mid point on a scale and the "mode" or typical
number. The report about the "average drivers", for example, should make the meaning clear as it
applies to this report.
If it says that "the average driver travels about 12, 000 miles in his car each year," does that
represent the arithmetic mean, the median, or simply the miles driven by a typical driver?
Sometimes these three differ widely.
Some conclusions are based on reasoning that involves some general principle of control. If two
alloys are to be compared for use in construction, the rule of logic is the same: All conditions
must be identical for both alloys.
Conclusion:
The interpretative report writer should have something of the scientific spirit in his nature. He is
expected to raise valid questions, to use intelligent methods, and to check carefully. He is
expected to arrive at reasonable conclusions that he can defend.