Useful Research Phrases and what they Really Mean

  "It has long been known" . . .
     [I didn't look up the original reference.]

  "A definite trend is evident" . . .
     [These data are practically meaningless.]

  "Of great theoretical and practical importance" . . .
     [Interesting to me.]

  "While it has not been possible to provide definite answers to these 
   questions" . . .
     [An unsuccessful experiment but I still have to get it published.]

  "Three of the samples were chosen for detailed study" . . .
     [The results of the others didn't make any sense.]

  "Typical results are shown" . . .
     [The best results are shown.]

  "These results will be shown in a subsequent report" . . .
     [I might get around to this sometime if I'm pushed.]

  "The most reliable results are those obtained by Jones" . . .
     [He was my graduate assistant.]

  "It is believed that" . . .
     [I think]

  "It is generally believed that" . . .
     [A couple of other guys think so, too.]

  "It is clear that much additional work will be required before a
   complete understanding occurs" . . .
     [I don't understand it.]

  "Correct within an order of magnitude" . . .
     [Wrong]

  "It is hoped that this study will stimulate further investigations in
   this field" . . .
     [This is a lousy paper, but so are all the others on this miserable
     topic.]

  "Thanks are due to Joe Blotz for assistance with the experiment and to
   George Frink for valuable assistance" . . .
     [Blotz did the work and Frink explained to me what it meant.]

  "A careful analysis of obtainable data" . . .
     [Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a glass of
     beer.]


From:  Mental Health/Psychology Jokes, By David Lubar