Words / C1

m-uh-nip-yoo-LAYSHUN/məˌnɪpjuˈleɪʃn/

Manipulation is unfair control of people or of figures, or (neutral) skilled handling of an object: data manipulation, manipulation of a joint. Manipulate (already in the dictionary) is the verb. Influence can be fair; coercion is force. Do not call a published correction “manipulation” to dodge the original error.

Meaning

Unfair control of people or figures; also skilled handling of an object.

Examples

• “Manipulation of the n in the abstract is still a methods failure.”
• “Influence can be legitimate. Coercion is open force. Data handling is neutral until it misleads. Massage the figures is informal. A transparent recode with a log is not manipulation.”

Good to know

Unfair control (or skilled handling). Verb: manipulate (already in the dictionary). Contrast: fair influence. Recoding with an audit trail is not manipulation.

Near in meaning

manipulate

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