We are living in an age in which data is strongly favored, especially when it’s reported in the media. “Big Data” is considered even more reliable as it consists of very large amounts of information. Percentiles are considered hard evidence, even if the conclusions drawn from the data don’t mean a whole lot. For example, “40 percent of adults say they use Instagram and about three in ten report using Pinterest or LinkedIn,” a Pew Research Center survey reported in April 2021. Is that a lot or a little? I don’t know, but the numbers are seemingly presented as being significant in some way.
Meanwhile, unless an argument is “data-based”, it is considered flimsy. One might repeatedly see something with his/her own eyes, but ironically (讽刺地), in this era of data, it matters little. Observations and any conclusions drawn, even by experts in a relevant field, have been downgraded to “personal perspectives”, even though they are based on real, documented behavior.
In short, if something is published in a journal with quantitative support, it carries much weight. If a cultural anthropologist (人类学家) with a Ph.D. reports a particular trend from field research, however, it is considered a short amusing story that may complement the “real” data-based studies. People want to know the “sample size” of cultural research, not understanding that valuable insights into human behavior can be gained without metrics (度量学) and analytics.
The many weaknesses associated with quantitative research should not be ignored, either. There are numerous ways to design a study and gather findings, each one likely to produce different results. The move to online research has made findings much more questionable, as nothing got from the Internet should be taken too seriously. Besides, how questions are both asked and answered is highly subjective and dependent on many variables.
Why do we love data so much? Words are imprecise and have multiple meanings, while numbers are precise and definitive, a big reason why we put so much faith and trust in data regardless of its source. To legitimize (证明……有理) this post, note that 88.6 percent of what I’ve said is true.
12. What does the author think of the 2021 survey reported by the Pew Research Center?
A.It leads to some confusion. | B.It has much scientific value. |
C.It impresses him with the numbers. | D.It contains some factual inaccuracies. |
13. What does the underlined word “flimsy” mean in paragraph 2?
A.Professional. | B.Interesting. | C.Unfriendly. | D.Unpersuasive. |
14. What is the last but one paragraph mainly about?
A.The practicality of online research. |
B.The disadvantages of quantitative research. |
C.The widespread popularity of online research. |
D.The significance of quantitative research findings. |
15. How does the author end the text?
A.By writing ironically. | B.By referring to experts. |
C.By providing a solution. | D.By making a prediction. |