invent data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "invent data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts where someone is creating or fabricating data, often in discussions about research, statistics, or information integrity. Example: "In order to support his argument, he decided to invent data that would make his case more compelling."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

Wikileaks didn't invent data journalism.

The Guardian

Just as congratulating autocrats on their election victories is nothing new, Cambridge Analytica did not invent data harvesting for political gain.

The New Yorker

In my experience, it is common practice for students to modify experiments, discard unwanted data and invent data that fit to get better grades.

The Economist

Minutes after the polls closed, an angry Mr. Tudor charged that the vote was "the biggest fraud in the history of Romania" and claimed that pollsters had been paid $150,000 to invent data, bribe election monitors and sabotage vote-tallying computers.

The New York Times

"Cambridge Analytica was supposed to be the arsenal of weapons to fight that culture war". (Wylie left the firm in 2014 and is now regarded as the main whistle-blower against it). Just as congratulating autocrats on their election victories is nothing new, Cambridge Analytica did not invent data harvesting for political gain.

The New Yorker

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

Investigators reported last week that Dr. Schön had manipulated or invented data in 17 scientific papers published from 1998 to 2001.

The New York Times

Ranbaxy, he charged in a legal case in 2007, had invented data to win approval for drugs in America and for treatments for HIV patients around the world.

The Economist

It is a view that reflects a growing realization among researchers that the real ethics issues in science are not so much the scandals that rock the field periodically -- charges of outright fabrications, invented data, theft of another's research.

The New York Times - Science

Many of the technical services staff are adept at understanding, manipulating, and when necessary actually inventing data encoding schemes and at moving data from one to another (and adapting the data as required to the new encoding environment).

Princeton University

Here's the sort of stuff that might be invented: Data lock boxes.

Forbes

We came to the realization that the interviewers had not visited the rural areas but, instead, fraudulently filled in the questionnaires with invented data.

The Journal of Headache and Pain

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research integrity, use "invent data" carefully, as it carries a strong negative connotation of fraud or misconduct. Alternatives like "generate data" may be more appropriate in neutral contexts.

Common error

Avoid using "invent data" when you mean to describe the process of discovering patterns or insights from existing datasets. "Inventing" implies creation, not finding.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "invent data" functions primarily as a verb phrase where "invent" acts as a transitive verb taking "data" as its direct object. As Ludwig AI points out, it describes the action of creating or fabricating data, often with negative connotations.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

30%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "invent data" is used to describe the act of creating or fabricating data, often in contexts that involve unethical behavior or scientific misconduct. Ludwig AI analysis confirms that the phrase is grammatically correct but carries a strong negative connotation. It appears most frequently in news and media sources, followed by science and academic contexts. While related phrases like "fabricate data" or "falsify data" share similar meanings, "invent data" specifically highlights the creation of entirely new, untrue data rather than the alteration of existing data. Therefore, careful consideration should be given to the context when using this phrase to accurately convey the intended meaning and avoid misinterpretations.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Fabricate data

Focuses on the falsification aspect, implying a deliberate creation of untrue data.

Falsify data

Directly indicates the alteration of existing data to make it untrue.

Create false data

Highlights the deceptive nature of the data being produced.

Forge data

Similar to 'fabricate', it emphasizes the creation of counterfeit data.

Generate data

Emphasizes the creation of data, whether real or artificial, without necessarily implying deception.

Manufacture data

Implies a systematic and deliberate creation of data, often for a specific purpose.

Concoct data

Suggests a more elaborate or imaginative creation of data.

Simulate data

Involves creating data that mimics real data but is not actually derived from real-world observations.

Devise data

Implies the creation of data through clever or inventive means.

Hypothesize data

Suggests the creation of data based on assumptions or theories.

FAQs

What does "invent data" mean?

The phrase "invent data" refers to creating or fabricating data, often with the intent to deceive or misrepresent information. It implies that the data is not based on real observations or measurements.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "invent data"?

Use "invent data" when discussing situations where data has been deliberately created or falsified, such as in cases of scientific misconduct or fraud. Be mindful of its negative connotation.

What are some alternatives to "invent data"?

You can use alternatives like "fabricate data", "falsify data", or "generate false data" depending on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to place on the deception.

How does "invent data" differ from "collect data"?

"Invent data" implies creating data out of nothing, whereas "collect data" refers to gathering existing information through observation, measurement, or experimentation. They are opposite processes.