People are masters at finding evidence and data to support whatever perspective or position they are advocating for or defending. 2020 was a good example of this amidst the social upheaval across the world due to what we witnessed during the death of George Floyd and the immediate shutdown of the world during the covid-19 pandemic. As stories and testimonies of police brutality and questions surrounding law enforcement surfaced, actors on all sides began citing data to either support the idea that black people in America were being arrested and/or killed at a disproportionate amount or to argue against the idea with stats, the number of black people arrested and/or killed by the police. Theories as to whether the deaths caused by the covid-19 virus were due to other factors like pre-existing conditions, age and overall health ran up against the widespread coverage and reports of what we were all witnessing on our televisions.

I’m not writing to argue either point of either topic per se. I have my thoughts on both topics but that is for a different blog at a different time. My point is that notion that data can be easily manipulated, cited and misunderstood to make one’s point was vastly apparent. The word Ethics according to Oxford means moral principles that govern a person’s behavior or the conducting of an activity. The activity relevant to this topic is the creation of reports through data analysis to highlight disparities, correlation or relationship between two or more things.

It is important for every researcher, statistician or analyst to form hypotheses before conducting research, but they must always be open to what the data actually says. Despite his or her presupposition, the researcher or analyst must always remain subject to the science. Data should never be skewed or tilted to support one’s belief whether that is political, social or otherwise. The beauty in the science of analysis is that it itself has no agenda, no perspective, no allegiance. The only allegiance data has it to the truth based on variables and conditions.

Good researchers must be keepers of the faith so to speak. Unbiased and uncharged during any analysis, no matter what the results look like. Ethics in data is the foundation before any statistical work is to begin. At Black Orchid we seek to drive change by accurate story telling through analysis of data. Our core principles govern our activity when working for local government, other public institutions or businesses. With Black Orchid Research our clients know they are getting the whole truth when we present results. Let the data be the truth and every man a liar.