A Dictionary of Useful Research Phrases

Research Phrase Translation

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

A definite trend is evident... These data are are practically
meaningless.

Of great theoretical and practical Interesting to me.
importance...

While it has not been possible to An unsuccessful experiment, but
provide definite answers to these I still hope to get it published.
questions...

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

Typical results are shown... The best results are shown.

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

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

It is believed that... I think.

It is generally believed that... A couple of other people think
so too.

It is clear that much additional I don't understand it.
work will be required before a
complete understanding of the
phenomenon occurs...

Correct within an order of Wrong.
magnitude...

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

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

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

---------------------------------------------------------------------------