Anhand einer ANCOVA wurden Kovariaten kontrolliert
By means of an ANCOVA, covariates were controlled
Literally: By the hand of an ANCOVA were covariates controlled
In 15 Seconds
- High-level academic phrase for reporting scientific results.
- Indicates statistical control of secondary variables using ANCOVA.
- Strictly for formal papers, theses, or professional presentations.
Meaning
This phrase is used in academic or scientific contexts to explain that you used a specific statistical method (ANCOVA) to account for extra variables that might influence your results.
Key Examples
3 of 6Writing a Master's thesis
Anhand einer ANCOVA wurden Kovariaten wie Alter und Geschlecht kontrolliert.
By means of an ANCOVA, covariates such as age and gender were controlled.
Presenting at a scientific conference
In unserer Studie wurden die Kovariaten anhand einer ANCOVA kontrolliert.
In our study, the covariates were controlled by means of an ANCOVA.
Explaining a complex decision to a nerdy friend
Ich habe meine Ausgaben analysiert; anhand einer ANCOVA wurden alle Variablen kontrolliert!
I analyzed my expenses; using an ANCOVA, all variables were controlled!
Cultural Background
There is a strong emphasis on 'Objektivität'. Using the passive voice is not just a grammar choice; it's a cultural signal that the researcher is secondary to the data. Swiss German academic writing is very similar to High German but may occasionally use 'mittels' more frequently than 'anhand'. Austrian academic German is known for being slightly more 'florid' or formal, often using even more complex nominalizations than in Germany. While German is precise, many German researchers now publish in English. This phrase is the bridge for those who want to maintain that same precision in their native tongue.
Use in Theses
Always use this exact phrase in your Master's thesis to impress your professors with your command of 'Wissenschaftssprache'.
Don't over-use
Only use this if you actually performed an ANCOVA. Using big words incorrectly is a major red flag in academia.
In 15 Seconds
- High-level academic phrase for reporting scientific results.
- Indicates statistical control of secondary variables using ANCOVA.
- Strictly for formal papers, theses, or professional presentations.
What It Means
This phrase is the peak of academic German. It describes a process of scientific cleanup. Imagine you are testing if a new diet works. But age also affects weight loss. You use an ANCOVA to remove that age factor. It tells your audience you were very precise. You didn't just guess your results. You used math to filter out the noise.
How To Use It
You will mostly use this in writing. Start your sentence with Anhand einer. This means "by means of" or "using." Then name your statistical tool. The word wurden puts the sentence in the passive voice. This makes it sound objective and professional. Always place the past participle kontrolliert at the very end. It acts like a lid on a jar.
When To Use It
Use this when writing a Master's thesis. It is perfect for a PhD defense. You can use it in lab reports. Use it when presenting data to experts. It shows you understand complex research methods. It makes you sound like a serious researcher. Even if your data is messy, this phrase sounds clean.
When NOT To Use It
Never use this at a party. Do not say this while buying bread. Your friends will think you are a robot. It is far too stiff for casual talk. Avoid it in basic emails to colleagues. Unless you are both statisticians, it is overkill. Keep it strictly for formal research papers.
Cultural Background
Germans value Wissenschaftlichkeit, or scientific rigor. Precision in language is seen as precision in thought. Using specific terms like Kovariaten shows high education. It reflects a culture that respects expertise and data. In German universities, clear methodology is often more important than the result. This phrase is a badge of academic honor.
Common Variations
You can swap the method easily. Try Anhand einer Regressionsanalyse for different stats. You can also say Mithilfe einer instead of Anhand einer. Both mean roughly the same thing. If you want to be active, say Wir kontrollierten. But the passive version is much more common. It keeps the focus on the data, not you.
Usage Notes
This is a C1/C2 level phrase. It belongs to 'Bildungssprache' (academic register). Using it correctly signals that you are capable of high-level scientific discourse in German.
Use in Theses
Always use this exact phrase in your Master's thesis to impress your professors with your command of 'Wissenschaftssprache'.
Don't over-use
Only use this if you actually performed an ANCOVA. Using big words incorrectly is a major red flag in academia.
Examples
6Anhand einer ANCOVA wurden Kovariaten wie Alter und Geschlecht kontrolliert.
By means of an ANCOVA, covariates such as age and gender were controlled.
This is the most standard usage in a research paper.
In unserer Studie wurden die Kovariaten anhand einer ANCOVA kontrolliert.
In our study, the covariates were controlled by means of an ANCOVA.
A slightly different word order for a spoken presentation.
Ich habe meine Ausgaben analysiert; anhand einer ANCOVA wurden alle Variablen kontrolliert!
I analyzed my expenses; using an ANCOVA, all variables were controlled!
Using hyper-formal language for mundane tasks is a common form of German humor.
Sollten wir die Kovariaten anhand einer ANCOVA kontrollieren?
Should we control the covariates using an ANCOVA?
A question format used during the planning phase of research.
Endlich fertig! Anhand einer ANCOVA wurden alle nervigen Kovariaten kontrolliert.
Finally done! Using an ANCOVA, all the annoying covariates were controlled.
The phrase remains formal even in a text between peers.
Wie Sie sehen, wurden die Kovariaten bereits anhand einer ANCOVA kontrolliert.
As you can see, the covariates have already been controlled via an ANCOVA.
Used to show confidence and thoroughness to an examiner.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct article for the genitive case.
Anhand ______ ANCOVA wurden die Kovariaten kontrolliert.
ANCOVA is feminine ({die|f} Analyse), and 'anhand' requires the genitive case. The feminine genitive article is 'einer'.
Which sentence is most appropriate for a scientific paper?
How should you report your statistical control?
This option uses the correct preposition, case, and passive voice required for the academic register.
Match the German term to its English statistical equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the direct translations in a research context.
Complete the dialogue in a formal setting.
Prüfer: 'Wie sind Sie mit den Störvariablen umgegangen?' Student: '____________________.'
This is the professional way to answer a question about methodology in a defense.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesAnhand ______ ANCOVA wurden die Kovariaten kontrolliert.
ANCOVA is feminine ({die|f} Analyse), and 'anhand' requires the genitive case. The feminine genitive article is 'einer'.
How should you report your statistical control?
This option uses the correct preposition, case, and passive voice required for the academic register.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the direct translations in a research context.
Prüfer: 'Wie sind Sie mit den Störvariablen umgegangen?' Student: '____________________.'
This is the professional way to answer a question about methodology in a defense.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, but it's less formal. In a scientific paper, 'anhand' is much better.
It is feminine ({die|f} ANCOVA) because it stands for '{die|f} Analyse'.
It's a variable that you're not primarily interested in, but that could affect your results (like age in a memory test).
'Wurden' is the past tense of 'werden' (were). 'Worden' is used for the perfect tense (have been).
Only in very technical fields like data science or market research.
Yes, it is very common in academic presentations.
It is '{die|f} Kovariaten'.
In this specific context, no. It means 'to control for' (statistically adjust).
Yes, it is a standard tool in German social sciences and medicine.
Most Germans say 'An-ko-va', with a long 'o'.
Related Phrases
Varianzanalyse durchführen
similarTo conduct an ANOVA.
Störvariablen ausschließen
similarTo exclude confounding variables.
Statistisch signifikant
builds onStatistically significant.
In den {der|m} Fokus rücken
contrastTo bring into focus.
