data forcing

RESEARCH ETHICS

Definition A term of art for the deliberate framing of a study or experiment’s conclusions so that they fit the original hypothesis, beyond what the available data naturally suggests.

Comment Data forcing results in research reports that reach erroneous conclusions due to use of improper statistical methods, small sample size, inappropriate cause-and-effect relationships and other forms of bad science. While data forcing may not be regarded as fraud, it serves no purpose, except to advance the author(s) agenda. 

Synonyms Borderline falsification, borderline data falsification, data manipulation (in part), making the conclusion fit the hypothesis