When the Data Disagrees

Use disagreement between sources to uncover differences in definition, timing, population, context and experience instead of forcing a premature conclusion.

• Treat disagreement as a signal — Pause when sources conflict instead of forcing them into a single story.
• Check definitions, timing and populations — Many contradictions disappear when sources are not measuring the same thing, people or period.
• Inspect the data-generating process — Ask what behaviours, rules and human judgements produced each record.
• Go to the people behind the pattern — When disagreement concerns experience, add structured voice and contextual evidence.
• Design the next inquiry from the disagreement — Use what you learned about the mismatch to decide what evidence would reduce uncertainty.