Error Analysis in Sports Articles on NFL, NBA, or Other

So we think our sports articles (and analysis) are perfect. Let’s look at some possible ways of introducing misconceptions or error into a sports report.

From a broader perspective, we are always attempting to approach a perfect model, an improved description of a situation in sports, and in life.

The idea is to remember that all things are subject to adjustments, iterations, improvement, with the hope that a convergence to excellence and near perfection will occur.

In math, when we talk about a limit concept, we realize that the “approaching behavior” is what is important. A function may not actually reach a limit, but it gets closer and closer.

In a phone conversation with an economist with the Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, the comment was made that it is customary to “seasonally adjust” some data.

There are other occasions when data is adjusted. Changes can occur in:

Data collection, Data aggregation or groups, Definition of criteria can change, Parameters can be changed, Descriptions can change because perceptions can shift or change, Interpretations can change, and more…

We use language to communicate our ideas in the NFL, NBA and MLA world. As such, the following comments are relevant. Each observation (from Wikipedia) can be applied to our sports writing:

In language teaching, error analysis studies the types and causes of language errors. Errors are classified^[3] according to:

• modality (i.e., level of proficiency in speaking, writing, reading, listening)
• linguistic levels (i.e., pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary, style)
• form (e.g., omission, insertion, substitution)
• type (systematic errors/errors in competence vs. occasional errors/errors in performance)
• cause (e.g., interference, interlanguage)
• norm vs. system

Now examples:

Modality—poor English; poor recording and transcribing of information

Linguistic—inappropriate grammar

Form—inappropriate model to explain an event or player’s performance

Type—no criteria for classifications or making judgements about good, better or best performances in a game or event.

Cause—outside "tweaking" from a reader who is not aware of the term, spelling, tag or title of your article

Norm—not aligned with the style of the community or system.

How do we address these issues?

As many writers say, you must write, re-write and write; adjust, re-adjust and adjust; iterate, until you approach a reasonably well-done article on the NFL, NBA, MLA or other sports.

It is clear that we all can grow and improve in this community. What’s more is that many of us are more than willing to do so; we grow, we improve and we approach a level of excellence.

Now to use the last phrase in a poem I wrote in 1988:

And in so doing (in writing), we each make our indelible impression on mankind.

Cheers! Mazel Tov on your next article!

Photo of Notre Dame's Touchdown Jesus, August 2009, by Damali.