Writing Data

Commentary
Why data commentary?

To support argument in academic writing by:

Assessing standard
Comparing and
theory, common beliefs,
Highlighting the results evaluating different data
or general practice in the
sets
light of the given data

Assessing the reliability of

the data in terms of the Discussing the
methodology that implications of the data
produced it
Table 5. Means of PC Virus Infection in
US Business
Source Percentage
Flash disk from home 43%
Electronic Bulletin Board 7%
Sales Demonstration Disk 6%
Repair or Service Disk 6%
Company, Client or Consultant Disc 4%
Shrink – wrapped application 3%
Other Download 2%
Disk from School 1%
Local Area Network Supervisor Disk 1%
Purposely Planted 1%
Came with PC 1%
Undetermined 29%
Example of Data Commentary:
• Table 5 shows the most common modes of computer virus
infection for US Business. As can be seen, in majority of cases,
the source of the virus infection can be detected, with disks
being brought to the workplace from home being by far the most
significant (43%). However, it is alarming to note that the source
of nearly 30% of viruses cannot be determined. While it may be
possible to eliminate home-to-workplace infection by requiring
computer users to run antiviral software on diskettes brought
from home, business are still vulnerable to major data loss,
especially from unidentifiable source of infection.

Focus on significant numbers!

Source: Andrikopoulos, A., & Kostaris, K. (2017). Collaboration networks in accounting
research. Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, 28, 1-9.
Example of Data Commentary:
• The published output in the data set was produced by 3609 authors
who were affiliated with 738 institutions in 44different countries. A
single person authored 29.48 percent of the articles, while 36.34
percent were written by two authors and 33.94 percent were produced
by collaborations of 3 or 4 authors. The average number of authors per
article is 2.097 and the average length of the articles is 24.824 pages.
Fig. 1 notes that the percentage of collaborative research has
increased throughout the sample period. The proportion of
collaborative articles was 50.714 percent in 1985 whereas it was 72.078
percent in 2014. The second half of the sample is affected by the advent
of the internet and the consequent facilitation of scientific
communication and collaboration.
Source: Andrikopoulos, A., & Kostaris, K. (2017). Collaboration networks in accounting research.
Journal of International Accounting, Auditing and Taxation, 28, 1-9.

Provide possible cause-effect relationship.

Elements of data commentary

1. Location elements and/or summary statements

2. Highlighting statements
3. Discussion of implications, problems,
exceptions, etc

§ Exercise: Identify the 3 elements above

in the Data Commentary presented in
the earlier slide.
Qualifications and Strength of
Claim
§ Highlighting statements need good
judgement
§ “It is important for students to learn to be
confidently uncertain.” (Skeleton, 1988)
§ Ways of qualifying or moderating claim
§ Using probability, distance, generalization,
weaker verbs, combined qualifications
§ Organize highlighting statements from
general to specific
Table 11. Years to Doctorate for Doctoral
Programs at University of Michigan, for
Students Entering in 2011 - 2013

Division US Citizens / PR International Students

N %PhD Years to N %PhD Years to
PhD PhD
Biology and Health 335 54 5.7 88 61 5.3
Physical Science 469 44 5.3 430 55 5.0
Social Sciences 409 35 6.0 80 59 5.3
Humanities 373 33 5.3 91 53 5.0
Education 141 30 5.7 12 50 4.0
Arts 16 38 6.5 4 50 3.7
Overall 1743 41 5.3 705 56 5.0
Exercise: Evaluate this Data
Commentary
Table 11 shows the number of years to complete a doctoral
program for both US and international students at a major
research university. As can be seen, international students
on average complete doctoral programs in less time than US
students in all divisions. The difference in years to
completion ranges from a relatively low 0.3 years in physical
sciences / engineering and humanities / arts to a high of 2.8
years in Art program. The consistent difference in time to
degree is not fully understood at present. However, one key
factor may be motivation. Many international students have
considerable external pressures, including sponsorship /
scholarship restrictions, family obligations and employer
demands which could influence the length of time it takes to
earn a doctorate
Exercise: Evaluate this Data
Commentary
Location: Table 11 shows the number of years to complete a doctoral
program for both US and international students at a major research
university.

Highlighting statement: As can be seen, international students on

average complete doctoral programs in less time than US students in
all divisions.

Discussion: The difference in years to completion ranges from a

relatively low 0.3 years in physical sciences / engineering and
humanities / arts to a high of 2.8 years in Art program. The consistent
difference in time to degree is not fully understood at present. However,
one key factor may be motivation. Many international students have
considerable external pressures, including sponsorship / scholarship
restrictions, family obligations and employer demands which could
influence the length of time it takes to earn a doctorate.
Quality data commentary

§ Complete the elements

§ Give comment, not reread the numbers.
§ Order highlighting statements from
general to specific
§ Highlighting statements lead to relevant
and important discussion.
§ Not speculating about the explanations.
Dealing with Graph
Exercise: Identify the elements
• The observed and predicted CO2 levels for 24 hours in a
commercial building is shown in figure 6. The actual CO2
concentrations were observed directly from sites in the building
using CO2 Trapping Method. As can be seen, the predicted CO2
concentrations increase sharply after 8 AM and decrease steeply
after 6 PM. This is because the CO2 levels were predicted to be
dependent on the number of people in the building. However, the
model overestimates the CO2 levels during occupancy periods (8
AM to 5 PM). The lower CO2 levels found in the occupancy
period may be caused by several factors, such as the presence
of plants which generate oxygen, while using CO2 .
Next
Assignment
• Create data
commentary from 2
exercises.
• Create 1 data
commentary from
your argumentative
essay.
• Submit it to email due
7th Oct 2021 at 9pm.
Exercise 1
Exercise 2