When data shows only part of the picture

A study title about SDG research representation in bibliometric databases raises a useful question: what is included in a dataset, and what is missing? We do not assert specific findings without examining the paper.

One database is not the whole picture

Compare sources, official statistics and specialist reports. Publication counts are not themselves a measure of social impact.

Ask how data was collected

Check definitions, time periods, geographic coverage and exclusions. The same questions apply to website analytics and customer surveys.

A practical business approach

Support sustainability claims with a clear metric and source. Label unsupported numbers as goals or estimates rather than established outcomes.