In other words, metrics are starting points for dialogue rather than conclusions.

FORBES: Don't Confuse a Scorecard with a Scoreboard

The difference is that in future, analysts will be left to draw their own conclusions rather than being given specific guidance on numbers such as earnings per share.

ECONOMIST: In profits we trust

So, if you have a spymaster who unwittingly relies on double agents feeding the CIA enemy disinformation rather than accurate intelligence, conclusions drawn from such data will be erroneous, possibly dangerously so.

CENTERFORSECURITYPOLICY: Garbage in, garbage out

These women had the intellectual discipline and honesty to allow their conclusions to arise from the data, rather than taking the shortcut of cherry-picking the data to fit preconceived notions.

CNN: The invisible women who hunt terrorists

Extending partnerships to their logical conclusions, namely mergers, can at times be detrimental rather than beneficial, Mr Ghosn agrees.

BBC: Will carmaker alliances result in identikit cars?

One of its key conclusions: Investors looking for opportunity and diversification in emerging markets should consider active investment strategies, rather than passive ones.

FORBES: Emerging Markets Offer Diversification, But Not Through ETFs

The fact that Mr. Gorman keeps making this statement rather than saying he is fully committed to this acquisition at the times proposed has now led to the two negative conclusions being reached by the newspaper and others.

FORBES: Can Morgan Stanley Afford Smith Barney?

Even so the polls risk remaining an interesting gimmick, rather than a substitute for the messy business of elections, referendums and media campaigns: unless, that is, their conclusions have real bite.

ECONOMIST: Democracy is about discussion, not just voting