DATA
COMMENTARY
Presented by:
Cortez, Trisha S.
Gamorot, Meikaella T.
Libao, Max Anthonie John S.
Mundo, Kenneth Jade N.
Sicalan, Mia Belle D.
OBJECTIVES:
Explain the nature and purpose of writing a data
commentary;
Identify the Parts of a Data Commentary; and
Write a data commentary.
WHAT IS DATA COMMENTARY?
Data commentary is a form of analytical writing in which you
interpret, explain, and evaluate data, typically presented in charts,
tables, or graphs (4.4: Data Commentary, 2023). It is commonly used
in research papers, reports, and business documents to help readers
understand what the data means and why it matters.
PURPOSE:
Help readers understand, interpret, and evaluate
data, especially when the data is complex or
presented in visual formats like tables or graphs;
Compare and evaluate different data sets; and
Discuss the implications of data.
TYPES OF
DATA
COMMENTARY
1. DESCRIPTIVE COMMENTARY
Example:
Purpose: Simply
describes the key
features, patterns, or
trends in the data.
Focus: What the data
shows without much “Figure 1 shows that the number of
interpretation dengue cases increased steadily from
January to June, peaking in May with
over 1,200 reported cases.”
2. COMPARATIVE COMMENTARY
Example:
Purpose: Compares
two or more sets of
data to highlight
similarities or
differences.
Focus: Relationships,
“Compared to Region VII, Region X had
contrasts, or ranking
a higher incidence of malnutrition, with
among data points a rate of 19.4% versus 13.2% in 2023.”
3. INTERPRETIVE COMMENTARY
Example:
Purpose: Interprets the
meaning or significance
of the data.
Focus: Explains why
the trends or patterns
exist
“The sharp decline in tuberculosis cases
after 2020 may be linked to increased
(Lab Report Writing MAE 171A/175A Results and Discussion: Data Commentary Purposes
of Data Commentary Moves in Data Commentary Sample Data Commentary Location public health funding and expanded TB
Summaries Excerpt from a Results Section Highlighting Appropriate Information Using
Topic Sentences to Help Your Reader Editing Worksheet, n.d.) screening programs.”
STRUCTURE OF
DATA
COMMENTARY
1. Data Presentation, usually in graphic form;
2. Location elements and summaries;
3. Highlighting statements; and
4. Conclusions.
1. DATA PRESENTATION
-usually in graphic form;
- often presented graphically for order and greater clarity.
Graphic representation data can be in the form of tables or
figures.
2. LOCATION ELEMENTS AND
SUMMARIES
This directs the reader's attention to...
1. The location of the figures containing the result.
2. Expresses the main idea of the graphical representation.
3. HIGHLIGHTING STATEMENTS
-that promote the most important findings.
4. CONCLUSIONS
Comments or interpretation of results could be:
- Generalization from the results
e.g. This proves the researchers hypothesis that...
- Explanations for the possible results
e.g. This, therefore, is the reason why many students...
- Comparing the results with those of other researchers e.g. This
supports/contradicts the conclusion of the research made by
Dietrichs, I. (2018, September 10). Writing the results chapter.
SAMPLE DATA COMMENTARY
Table 5. Most Common Modes of Viral Infection for U.S. Businesses
Source of Infection Description Estimated Share
Primary source of virus
Disks brought from home transmission; users bring infected 70%
diskettes from personal devices.
Source cannot be traced; poses
Unidentified sources 30%
serious security risk.
SAMPLE DATA COMMENTARY
Dietrichs, I. (2018, September 10). Writing the results chapter.
PHRASES
COMMONLY USED IN
DATA COMMENTARY
INTRODUCING DESCRIBING TRENDS MAKING
THE DATA OR PATTERNS COMPARISONS
There is a significant increase Compared to...
The table shows that...
in... In contrast with...
As illustrated in the chart...
A noticeable decline can be
According to the data X is higher/lower than Y...
seen in...
presented... The difference between A
The data indicates a steady
Figure 1 highlights... growth in... and B is...
The graph reveals a clear An upward/downward trend is While X increased, Y
observed... remained constant.
trend in...
The majority of respondents...
HIGHLIGHTING CITING UNEXPECTED DRAWING
SIGNIFICANCE OR RESULTS
IMPLICATIONS CONCLUSIONS
This suggests that... Surprisingly, the data n conclusion, the data
The findings imply... shows... confirms that...
Overall, the trend points
It can be inferred that... Contrary to
to...
This may indicate a need expectations...
These results support the
for... It is unusual that...
idea that...
Such results are important Despite assumptions, This reinforces the role of...
because...
the data reveals...
TIPS FOR WRITING EFFECTIVE
COMMENTARY
Understand the Use Comparative and
Data First Analytical Phrases
Focus on Key Points Keep It Organized
Use Clear and Stay Objective and
Precise Language Evidence-Based
Explain, Don’t Just Use Visual
Describe References
COMMON MISTAKES TO
AVOID
Describing data Using imprecise
without analysis language
Overgeneralizing or Lack of structure or
exaggerating flow
Ignoring data that Using complex
contradicts your
argument jargon unnecessarily
Failing to reference Neglecting to connect
data to the bigger
visuals correctly picture
REFERENCES:
4.4: Data Commentary. (2023, March 13). Social Sci LibreTexts.
https://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Scientific_and_Technical_Communication/
A_Guide_to_Technical_Communications:_Strategies_and_Applications_(Hall_and_Wahlin)/04:_Engaging_
With_Research/4.04:_Data_Commentary
Lab Report Writing MAE 171A/175A Results and Discussion: Data Commentary Purposes of Data
Commentary Moves in Data Commentary Sample Data Commentary Location Summaries Excerpt from
a Results Section Highlighting Appropriate Information Using Topic Sentences to Help Your Reader
Editing Worksheet. (n.d.). http://maecourses.ucsd.edu/callafon/labcourse/handouts/Results.pdf
Dietrichs, I. (2018, September 10). Writing the results chapter. Hslu.ch; Pressbooks.
https://ebooks.hslu.ch/academicwriting/chapter/4-5-results/
THANK
YOU
