alter the data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "alter the data" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when discussing changes or modifications made to data in various contexts, such as data analysis, programming, or research. Example: "To improve the accuracy of our results, we need to alter the data collected during the experiment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

21 human-written examples

Would the ability to interactively alter the data help you explore what-if scenarios?

Human-centric Computing and Information Sciences

And an overly ambitious product manager might alter the data just slightly to make it look a bit more positive than it actually is.

TechCrunch

The idea is to visualize geographical and chronological data via 3D graphics and let users easily access and alter the data they see via a touch screen.

TechCrunch

We are not interested in finding the error inversions; we just would like to verify that they do not alter the data analysis.

EURASIP Journal on Advances in Signal Processing

Moreover, faults may occur because hardware or software glitches such as memory bit flipping [17] that may alter the data before making decisions at run time.

EURASIP Journal on Embedded Systems

An active attack attempts to destroy or alter the data packets and routing messages being exchanged in the network and it is very harmful to the network security.

EURASIP Journal on Wireless Communications and Networking

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

39 human-written examples

He did not believe that Serco had benefited from altering the data, although the PCT's review was not complete.

The Guardian

Steve Swasey, a Netflix spokesman, disputed the study's conclusions, saying the customers were not re-identifiable because Netflix had altered the data set before sending it to contestants.

The New York Times

The American people have every right to be suspicious when NOAA alters data to get the politically correct results they want.... NOAA needs to come clean about why they altered the data to get the results they needed to advance this administration's extreme climate change agenda.

The New Yorker

To ensure accuracy, Dr Christy and his colleagues have been checking the measurements of one satellite against another, and altering the data accordingly before publication.

The Economist

The school accused a former computer specialist, Kenneth Cuadra, of altering the data, but Mr. Cuadra has said that he changed the codes under the orders of senior administrators at Sharpstown, and that he restored the correct codes the next morning, after reflecting on the implications of what he had been asked to do.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing data analysis or scientific research, use "alter the data" to accurately describe modifications made for clarity or to test hypotheses.

Common error

Be mindful that "alter" can sometimes imply manipulation with negative intent. To avoid this, specify the reason for altering the data, such as "alter the data for normalization purposes."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "alter the data" functions as a verb phrase where "alter" is the verb indicating an action performed on the noun "data". Ludwig AI confirms it's used to describe modifications made to data.

Expression frequency: Common

Frequent in

Science

46%

News & Media

38%

Wiki

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

8%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "alter the data" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe the process of modifying data. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is widely applicable across various contexts, particularly in science, news, and business. While "alter" can sometimes carry a negative connotation, specifying the reason for alteration can mitigate this. Alternatives such as "modify the data" or "change the data" can also be used. It's crucial to maintain transparency and ethical practices when altering data, ensuring that all changes are documented and justified.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

modify the data

This alternative uses a more general term for changing the data.

change the data

This is a simpler and more direct way to express altering the data.

amend the data

This suggests making corrections or improvements to the data.

revise the data

This implies a more thorough review and alteration of the data.

manipulate the data

This suggests altering the data in a skillful or deceptive way.

transform the data

This emphasizes changing the data into a different form.

adjust the data

This focuses on making small changes to improve accuracy or fit.

tweak the data

This suggests making fine adjustments to the data.

correct the data

This emphasizes fixing errors or inaccuracies in the data.

update the data

This implies bringing the data to a more current state.

FAQs

What does "alter the data" mean?

"Alter the data" means to change or modify information, typically for analysis, correction, or to achieve a specific outcome. It is commonly used in scientific, technical, and business contexts.

When is it appropriate to "alter the data"?

It is appropriate to "alter the data" when cleaning data for analysis, correcting errors, transforming data into a usable format, or testing different scenarios. However, it's essential to maintain transparency and document all changes made.

What are some alternatives to saying "alter the data"?

You can use alternatives like "modify the data", "change the data", "amend the data", or "revise the data", depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is "altering the data" ethical?

The ethics of "altering the data" depend on the intent and transparency. It is unethical to alter data to fabricate results or mislead others. However, it's ethical to alter data for legitimate purposes like correcting errors or preparing data for analysis, provided the changes are documented and justified.