manipulate the data

USAGE SUMMARY

"manipulate the data" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you need to refer to the action of manipulating data, such as in the following example: "The programmer had to manipulate the data before it could be used in the model."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

48 human-written examples

Data is never going to be perfect, and one's ability to manipulate the data determines "whether or not you're successful in your project.

Journal for Labour Market Research

"You can manipulate the data in a graphic and it displays immediately.

The New York Times - Tech

"How you can manipulate the data — and what you can do with it".

The New York Times

Other institutions have found ways to manipulate the data without outright dishonesty.

The New York Times

Doctors' surgeries, hospitals and patients would all be able to retrieve and manipulate the data remotely, over the internet.

The Economist

True, in their marketing material, banks can manipulate the data to suit their own ends by being selective about which deals they include, for example.

The Economist

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

10 human-written examples

Similarly, there are the so-called 'red team' dynamics, which occur when social media platform users attempt to manipulate the data-generating process to support their own economic or political gain [ 34, 36].

Drug Safety

Manipulating the data this way felt kinaesthetic.

The Guardian

By manipulating the data we can exercise mastery over our fate.

The Guardian - Books

Nasrallah has alleged that Israeli intelligence agents manipulated the data records in an attempt to damage Hezbollah.

The Guardian

No matter how much evidence scientists accumulate, they're accused of somehow manipulating the data.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "manipulate the data", be mindful of the ethical implications. Consider whether the manipulation is intended to clarify, correct, or mislead.

Common error

Avoid using "manipulate the data" when a more neutral term like "process the data" or "analyze the data" would be more appropriate, especially in contexts where objectivity is crucial.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "manipulate the data" functions as a verb phrase with a direct object. According to Ludwig AI, it's grammatically correct and widely used. It describes the action of handling or altering data.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Science

40%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "manipulate the data" is grammatically correct and widely used across various contexts, as confirmed by Ludwig AI. It signifies the act of handling, modifying, or processing data, which can range from legitimate transformations for analysis to unethical distortions for misleading results. Due to its potential for negative connotations, it's crucial to consider the ethical implications when using this phrase and opt for more neutral terms like "process" or "analyze" when appropriate. Common contexts include news, science, and technology, highlighting its relevance in data-driven discussions.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

alter the data

Highlights the act of making changes to data, similar to manipulate.

adjust the data

Highlights making small changes or corrections to the data.

manage the data

Focuses on overseeing and controlling data rather than actively changing it.

control the data

Emphasizes authority and regulation over data.

influence the data

Suggests subtly affecting the data, potentially changing outcomes.

massage the data

Suggests gentle or subtle manipulation of data to achieve a desired result.

utilize the data

Focuses on using data for a specific purpose, rather than changing it.

affect the data

Indicates that something has an impact on the data, potentially altering it.

rig the data

Implies dishonest manipulation of data for a desired outcome.

treat the data

Focuses on processing or handling data in a specific way.

FAQs

How can I use "manipulate the data" in a sentence?

You can use "manipulate the data" to describe actions like cleaning, transforming, or adjusting data for analysis or presentation. For example, "The analyst had to manipulate the data to remove outliers".

What does it mean to "manipulate the data"?

To "manipulate the data" means to handle, modify, or process data in a specific way, often to achieve a desired outcome or to make it suitable for a particular purpose. It can range from legitimate data cleaning to unethical data distortion.

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

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives like "manage the data", "process the data", "transform the data", or "analyze the data".

Is it always bad to "manipulate the data"?

Not necessarily. While "manipulate the data" can imply unethical behavior, it can also refer to legitimate data processing steps like cleaning or transforming data to make it more useful. The intention and transparency are key.