Professor's apparent request to student for fake data published by mistake

Re:Professor's apparent request to student for fake data pub... by ronaldx on Thursday August 08, 2013 @03:51PM (#6181400)

"just make up" makes this interpretation unlikely.

Additionally: it matters just as much how the grad student interpreted the statement, as how it was intended.

Even if meant with good intention, which I doubt, the use of language is in itself poor because the intent is not clear.

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Re:Professor's apparent request to student for fake data pub... by dnautics on Thursday August 08, 2013 @03:58PM (#6181452)

"hey, lazy grad student, we're in a hurry. Just make up the table from the data you have, already."

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Re:Professor's apparent request to student for fake data pub... by dnautics on Thursday August 08, 2013 @05:07PM (#6181926)

I happen to personally believe that the guy is guilty of attempting to fake the data - but it is certainly a plausible explanation that should not be discounted.

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Re:Professor's apparent request to student for fake data pub... by mikeash on Thursday August 08, 2013 @03:53PM (#6181417)

Only if the task is difficult. If it's a simple task, the phrasing is fine. I have no idea how hard this particular thing is, though.

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