12.9 Ethical storytelling

A coherent story can still be misleading if it hides contrary evidence, exaggerates precision, selects a convenient time frame, or implies causation from association. Trustworthy storytelling:

• preserves denominators and uncertainty;
• distinguishes facts from interpretations;
• acknowledges material alternatives;
• avoids stereotypes;
• does not conceal weak model performance; and
• gives limitations prominence proportional to their consequence.

Quality standard: If a figure, table, method, or fact does not support a project question, establish a material limitation, or justify a recommendation, it should be moved, revised, or removed.