Mysterious Phrases Explained

Doglips · 08-14-2002, 08:55 PM

Mysterious Phrases Explained
The following list of phrases and their definitions might
help you understand the mysterious language of science
and medicine. These special phrases are also applicable
to anyone reading a PhD dissertation or academic paper.

"IT HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN"...
I didn't look up the original reference.

"A DEFINITE TREND IS EVIDENT"...
These data are practically meaningless.

"WHILE IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE DEFINITE
ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS"...
An unsuccessful experiment but I still hope to get it
published.

"THREE OF THE SAMPLES WERE CHOSEN FOR DETAILED STUDY"...
The other results didn't make any sense.

"TYPICAL RESULTS ARE SHOWN"...
This is the prettiest graph.

"THESE RESULTS WILL BE IN A SUBSEQUENT REPORT"...
I might get around to this sometime, if pushed/funded.

"IN MY EXPERIENCE"...
Once.

"IN CASE AFTER CASE"...
Twice.

"IN A SERIES OF CASES"...
Thrice.

"IT IS BELIEVED THAT"...
I think.

"IT IS GENERALLY BELIEVED THAT"...
A couple of others think so, too.

"CORRECT WITHIN AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE" ...
Wrong.

"ACCORDING TO STATISTICAL ANALYSIS"...
Rumour has it.

"A STATISTICALLY-ORIENTED PROJECTION OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF
THESE FINDINGS"...
A wild guess.

"A CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF OBTAINABLE DATA"...
Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a
glass iced tea.

"IT IS CLEAR THAT MUCH ADDITIONAL WORK WILL BE REQUIRED
BEFORE A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PHENOMENON OCCURS"...
I don't understand it.

"AFTER ADDITIONAL STUDY BY MY COLLEAGUES"...
They don't understand it either.

"THANKS ARE DUE TO JOE BLOTZ FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE
EXPERIMENT AND TO CINDY ADAMS FOR VALUABLE DISCUSSIONS"...
Mr. Blotz did the work and Ms. Adams explained to me what it
meant.

"A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT AREA FOR EXPLORATORY STUDY"...
A totally useless topic selected by my committee.

"IT IS HOPED THAT THIS STUDY WILL STIMULATE FURTHER
INVESTIGATION IN THIS FIELD"...
I quit.

Eric · 08-14-2002, 09:13 PM

That is outstanding! My better half is getting her PhD in quantem bio-physics at UNC Chapel Hill, She is going to die laughing when I send this to her. Thanks!

Klaus · 08-14-2002, 10:48 PM

Quantum Biophysics is clearly a made up name.

Eric · 08-14-2002, 11:09 PM

Nope, not at all. I've already had this conversation with her. Quantum only means that it can't be proved and is a theory, period. The bottom line of her study is shooting light/energy through 'material' and seeing what effect it has on the electrons. If they can get the electrons to group in a pre-determined manner, i.e., say where they will end up before the shoot. They believe this will be very applicable in the cure of cancer and may actually be the cornerstone for the cure. If you don't believe me Klaus you just call up UNC...I'm sure they can explain it alot better than me. It's a five year program, I kinda kept up the first six months. She's been in a little over a year and I have absolutely no clue what she is talking about. I'll give you her number if you have questions. Then again, If you think there is no such thing, PM me your number and I'll have her call you and she can explain it to you.

Klaus · 08-15-2002, 04:39 AM

1. No, quantum means "Discrete Jumps". 2. EVERYTHING in science is a theory, no matter how well supported by observations and experimentation. Newton's Theory of Gravity is a fine example. 3. People already know what types of radiation the electrons of any element will absorb, as well as the effects of too much energy (photoelectric effect and Compton Scattering).

08-14-2002, 08:55 PM	#1
Doglips Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cocoa Florida Posts: 9,088	Mysterious Phrases Explained Mysterious Phrases Explained The following list of phrases and their definitions might help you understand the mysterious language of science and medicine. These special phrases are also applicable to anyone reading a PhD dissertation or academic paper. "IT HAS LONG BEEN KNOWN"... I didn't look up the original reference. "A DEFINITE TREND IS EVIDENT"... These data are practically meaningless. "WHILE IT HAS NOT BEEN POSSIBLE TO PROVIDE DEFINITE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS"... An unsuccessful experiment but I still hope to get it published. "THREE OF THE SAMPLES WERE CHOSEN FOR DETAILED STUDY"... The other results didn't make any sense. "TYPICAL RESULTS ARE SHOWN"... This is the prettiest graph. "THESE RESULTS WILL BE IN A SUBSEQUENT REPORT"... I might get around to this sometime, if pushed/funded. "IN MY EXPERIENCE"... Once. "IN CASE AFTER CASE"... Twice. "IN A SERIES OF CASES"... Thrice. "IT IS BELIEVED THAT"... I think. "IT IS GENERALLY BELIEVED THAT"... A couple of others think so, too. "CORRECT WITHIN AN ORDER OF MAGNITUDE" ... Wrong. "ACCORDING TO STATISTICAL ANALYSIS"... Rumour has it. "A STATISTICALLY-ORIENTED PROJECTION OF THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THESE FINDINGS"... A wild guess. "A CAREFUL ANALYSIS OF OBTAINABLE DATA"... Three pages of notes were obliterated when I knocked over a glass iced tea. "IT IS CLEAR THAT MUCH ADDITIONAL WORK WILL BE REQUIRED BEFORE A COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING OF THIS PHENOMENON OCCURS"... I don't understand it. "AFTER ADDITIONAL STUDY BY MY COLLEAGUES"... They don't understand it either. "THANKS ARE DUE TO JOE BLOTZ FOR ASSISTANCE WITH THE EXPERIMENT AND TO CINDY ADAMS FOR VALUABLE DISCUSSIONS"... Mr. Blotz did the work and Ms. Adams explained to me what it meant. "A HIGHLY SIGNIFICANT AREA FOR EXPLORATORY STUDY"... A totally useless topic selected by my committee. "IT IS HOPED THAT THIS STUDY WILL STIMULATE FURTHER INVESTIGATION IN THIS FIELD"... I quit.

08-14-2002, 09:13 PM	#2
Eric Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: USA Posts: 673	That is outstanding! My better half is getting her PhD in quantem bio-physics at UNC Chapel Hill, She is going to die laughing when I send this to her. Thanks! __________________ I told him straight up, "You are an idiot for bringing those two fists to this gun fight."

08-14-2002, 10:48 PM	#3
Klaus Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 2,382	Quantum Biophysics is clearly a made up name. __________________ "Gee, Wally, Eddie Haskel's mom puts out!"

08-14-2002, 11:09 PM	#4
Eric Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: USA Posts: 673	Nope, not at all. I've already had this conversation with her. Quantum only means that it can't be proved and is a theory, period. The bottom line of her study is shooting light/energy through 'material' and seeing what effect it has on the electrons. If they can get the electrons to group in a pre-determined manner, i.e., say where they will end up before the shoot. They believe this will be very applicable in the cure of cancer and may actually be the cornerstone for the cure. If you don't believe me Klaus you just call up UNC...I'm sure they can explain it alot better than me. It's a five year program, I kinda kept up the first six months. She's been in a little over a year and I have absolutely no clue what she is talking about. I'll give you her number if you have questions. Then again, If you think there is no such thing, PM me your number and I'll have her call you and she can explain it to you. __________________ I told him straight up, "You are an idiot for bringing those two fists to this gun fight."

08-15-2002, 04:39 AM	#5
Klaus Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cypress, Texas Posts: 2,382	1. No, quantum means "Discrete Jumps". 2. EVERYTHING in science is a theory, no matter how well supported by observations and experimentation. Newton's Theory of Gravity is a fine example. 3. People already know what types of radiation the electrons of any element will absorb, as well as the effects of too much energy (photoelectric effect and Compton Scattering). __________________ "Gee, Wally, Eddie Haskel's mom puts out!"