fabricate data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fabricate data" is grammatically correct and can be used in written English.
It means to create or invent false information or statistics. Here is an example of its usage in a sentence: The company was accused of fabricating data in their annual report to make their financial performance seem more favorable to investors.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

18 human-written examples

Others simply fabricate data – Dutch psychologist Diederik Stapel shockingly falsified data from more than 50 studies.

The Guardian

The spectacular case of Diederik Stapel showed that a researcher could fabricate data for years without being caught.

The Guardian

Prof. M. Gregg Bloche of Georgetown University, a member of the committee, said: "The administration's report does not fabricate data, but misrepresents the findings.

The New York Times

Unless he could get grants, he couldn't pay his lab workers, and to get those grants, he cut corners on his research and then began to fabricate data.

The New York Times - Science

In northern New Jersey, census workers said some supervisors told them to fabricate data for thousands of households in response to pressure from the Philadelphia regional office to finish the count.

The New York Times

Dr. Thomas P. Stossel, a Harvard hematologist who invented a blood-storage technique and defends the profit motive in medicine, argues that "academic socialists and the conflict-of-interest vigilantes" are stifling the biotechnology revolution by exaggerating the fear that doctors who own patents or company stock will fabricate data.

The New York Times - Science

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

42 human-written examples

Fabricating data is a heinous scientific sin.

The Economist

But his fame crumbled when scientist bloggers began posting signs of fabricated data.

The New York Times

Purely fabricated data was submitted for another 200 households, she estimated.

The New York Times

But no scientist had ever spent time in prison for fabricating data.

The New York Times - Magazine

In late 2011, Stapel admitted that he'd been fabricating data for many years.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

In a data analysis context, clearly distinguish between legitimate data processing techniques and unethical fabrication practices.

Common error

Avoid using "fabricate data" when you mean to describe legitimate, but potentially biased, data interpretation. "Fabricating data" refers specifically to creating false data, not to drawing conclusions from existing data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fabricate data" functions primarily as a verb phrase, describing the action of creating false or misleading information. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is grammatically correct and widely used. The examples provided showcase its usage across various contexts, mostly related to research and statistics.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

35%

Formal & Business

9%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

4%

Reference

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fabricate data" is grammatically correct and widely used, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It refers to the unethical practice of creating false or misleading information, primarily in research and statistics. The phrase is commonly found in news and media, as well as in scientific contexts. Related phrases include "falsify data", "manufacture data", and "forge data". When using this phrase, it's crucial to differentiate between data fabrication and legitimate data interpretation. Avoid using "fabricate data" when you actually want to discuss data interpretation and drawing conclusions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

falsify data

Emphasizes the act of making data false or inaccurate.

manufacture data

Suggests a more deliberate and systematic creation of false data.

forge data

Implies a deceptive imitation or creation of data.

invent data

Highlights the creation of entirely new, untrue data.

create data

Focuses on the act of bringing data into existence, which can be misleading if the data is not genuine.

compile data

Refers to the assembling of data, but carries negative connotations when the compilation is intentionally misleading.

counterfeit data

Stresses the fraudulent nature of the data.

spin data

Indicates manipulating the presentation of data to create a misleading impression.

assemble data

Describes the act of putting data together, which can be deceptive when the selection is biased.

misrepresent findings

Shifts the focus to the distortion of research results rather than the creation of false data.

FAQs

How can I use "fabricate data" in a sentence?

You can use "fabricate data" to describe the act of creating false or misleading information. For example: "The scientist was accused of "fabricating data" to support his hypothesis."

What's the difference between "falsify data" and "fabricate data"?

While both terms involve manipulating data, "falsify data" often refers to altering existing data, whereas "fabricate data" implies creating entirely new, untrue data.

What are some synonyms for "fabricate data"?

Some alternatives to "fabricate data" include "falsify data", "manufacture data", and "forge data".

Is "fabricate data" a formal or informal phrase?

"Fabricate data" is suitable for both formal and informal contexts when discussing the creation of false information, especially in research or reporting.