raw data need to be pruned

Categories: Comparisons

An example of a metaphor used to explain a scientific idea:

"The raw datum may well contain any information, but the refined datum must convey only relevant and universally useful information; this is achieved both by pruning the raw datum …we are interested in systematising data with the aim of disclosing patterns in them, and this cannot be done unless the 'noise' is eliminated by the pruning process…"

Mario Bunge

Bunge, M. (2017/1998). Philosophy of Science. Volume 2: From explanation to justification (Revised ed.). Routledge.

Author: Keith

Former school and college science teacher, teacher educator, research supervisor, and research methods lecturer. Emeritus Professor of Science Education at the University of Cambridge.