Which is right, ‘by contrast’ or ‘in contrast’?

The data show that in fact, either is fine to use, even at the beginning of a sentence

Photo by bruce mars on Unsplash

The common introductory phrases “in contrast” and “by contrast” are often changed by editors in formal academic English. Some will change all instances of “in contrast” to “by contrast,” and others will change all instances of “in contrast”…