“Studies have shown…”
Really? What kind of studies? More importantly, can you show me where to find these studies so that I can read them? This sort of thing (showing your readers or listeners where you got your information from) is called a reference. References are useful in demonstrating that you are not just making up whatever you are talking about. Unfortunately, in many instances where this phrase is used the speaker has no references and doesn’t know what he/she is talking about. Instead, they read or heard a “studies have shown…” and are merely repeating what they have heard because of confirmation bias. So, this particular phrase is especially dangerous because it actually propagates itself. It’s like a virus. Beware.
Alternate solutions:
- Use a footnote or endnote
- Include a link (if you found your information on the internet (which is another issue))
- “As you will find in this particular study in this particular year…”
- “Mr. Authority On The Subject Says…”
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