# Write the caveats and limitations section of my analysis

An honest, readable limitations section that explains uncertainty and data gaps without burying the conclusion.

- Topic: Data & Analysis
- Framework: RTF
- Level: Standard
- Tags: Write, Analyze, Fill-in Template
- Source: https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/prompts/write-the-caveats-and-limitations-section-of-my-analysis

## Prompt

```text
Write the caveats and limitations section for my analysis so readers understand how far they can trust it.

**Main findings:** [PASTE summary]
**Data and method:** [sources, time period, sample size, method]
**Known issues:** [e.g. "missing data for March", "survey response rate 14%", "no control group", "small segments"]
**Audience and decision:** [who reads it and what they will decide]

Steps:
1. Identify the limitations that actually matter for the decision, including ones I may have missed: sample size and uncertainty, selection or response bias, data quality gaps, correlation vs. causation, short time windows, seasonality, definition changes, and how far results generalize.
2. For each, state the likely direction and size of the effect on the findings (overstated, understated, or unclear).
3. Separate what we can say confidently from what is suggestive and what we cannot say.
4. Recommend what would reduce each uncertainty (more data, a test, a different method) and whether it is worth doing before deciding.
5. Express uncertainty in plain terms, such as ranges, rather than only p-values.

Return:
- A short "How confident are we?" summary (3-4 sentences) for the top of the doc.
- A limitations table: Limitation | Effect on findings | How confident we are | What would fix it.
- A plain-English version for executives (under 100 words).

Tone: candid and specific, not defensive. Do not add limitations that would not change the decision, and do not weaken findings the evidence clearly supports.
```

## What to fill in

- PASTE summary
- sources, time period, sample size, method
- who reads it and what they will decide

Free to copy and use. From ThinkWithPrompt (https://www.thinkwithprompt.com/), a library of 2,663 curated AI prompts.