Analysis Of The Data Suggest By Christopher Gillen

In the article “The Data Suggest” Christopher Gillen (2014) explained the proper use of data in scientific writing. Gillen explained, “Data are crucial to scientific argumentation, but they are by no means the end of the story” (p.204). The use of data is important, but its usage should be proper in order for it to be successful. He also explained, “Scientific progress depends on the insight and creativity that scientists bring to their data” (p.204). Writers should engage their audience in their writing by choosing the creative data that makes them think about it. Gillen (2014) suggested to obtain a great data by using proper techniques and not sloppy and poor ones. He also stated that writers should summarize the date they have found. Gillen (2014) says, “Turner uses numerical data to support an argument about the role of the sun’s energy on Earth” (p.207). Gillen (2014) also suggest that writers should make a comparison with values from the same study or another similar one in order to help readers understand the data.
Gillen suggested that writers should either agree with the data but with difference, or disagree with it and explain why. Gillen (2014) explained, “Concur with finding and then propose a mechanism that explains it” (p.213). He explained how a writer could agree with the data but at the same time jump into the conversation so he could put an opinion on it. When disagreeing with the data, Gillen (2014) suggested that a writer should explain why they disagree with it, and avoid getting to the conclusion with this