a marginal means

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a marginal means" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a method or resource that is not central or significant, often implying limited effectiveness or importance. Example: "In this project, we relied on a marginal means of communication that did not facilitate effective collaboration among team members."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

1 human-written examples

The participants provided repeated and mutually dependent cortisol samples and since our interest was on the comparison of the different demand-control categories with each other at each point in time we used a mixed model approach specifying a marginal means model.

BMC Public Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

59 human-written examples

The direct extension of popular FPCA techniques to the generalized case incorrectly uses a marginal mean estimate for a model that has an inherently conditional interpretation, and thus leads to biased estimates of population and subject-level effects.

Computational Statistics & Data Analysis

GEE involves specifying a marginal mean model relating the response to the covariates and a plausible correlation structure between responses at different time periods (or within each cluster).

BMC Medical Research Methodology

a Estimated marginal means from a GLM with SL as a covariate.

BMC Evolutionary Biology

To control for selection bias we calculated LS means, which are predicted population margins, estimating the marginal means over a balanced population.

BMC Health Services Research

In other words, the LSM provides an estimate of the marginal means over a balanced population.

Annals of Oncology

As a result, the estimated marginal means (after controlling for GPA) were very similar between participants and nonparticipants (Table 5).

CBE Life Sciences Education

Because of multiple testing for the estimated marginal means, a significance level of p < 0.01 was applied.

Clinical Rheumatology

Because age was used as a covariate, the estimated marginal means (which control for age effect) of FA and ADC as determined by the MANCOVA model are provided in Table 2.

Cerebral Cortex

Demographic variables were also examined to show a higher marginal mean for Hispanic primary caregivers in relation to the positive appraisal of caregiving.

Geriatric Nursing

The variation in climate change indicators values between the extremes of landscape gradients was assessed through their estimated marginal means at a given habitat, calculated at covariates' means (i.e. average thermal environments).

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research methodologies, use "a marginal means" to accurately portray a method's limited impact or significance, ensuring transparency in your analysis.

Common error

Avoid using "a marginal means" when describing a central or highly effective method. Ensure the term accurately reflects the limited contribution of the means to prevent misinterpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a marginal means" functions as a descriptor, typically modifying a noun to indicate that a particular method, resource, or approach is not central or highly impactful. This is aligned with the examples found by Ludwig, where it is used to qualify different elements within research and analysis.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Science

100%

Less common in

News & Media

0%

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a marginal means" serves as a descriptor indicating that a method, resource, or approach is not central or highly impactful. Ludwig AI highlights its usage in formal and scientific contexts. While grammatically correct, it is a relatively rare expression, primarily found in scientific literature. When using the phrase, it's crucial to ensure it accurately reflects the limited contribution of the means being described. Ludwig AI's analysis suggests that alternative phrases, such as "a limited resource" or "a secondary approach", might be more suitable depending on the specific context.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a limited resource

Focuses on the scarcity of the resource, implying a limited quantity or availability.

a supplementary method

Highlights the supportive nature of the method, indicating it's used in addition to a primary approach.

a secondary approach

Emphasizes the lower priority or importance of the approach compared to a main one.

a minor technique

Indicates the technique is small in scale or significance.

a peripheral tool

Suggests the tool is not central or essential to the main task.

a non-essential method

Highlights the dispensable nature of the method.

an auxiliary means

Emphasizes the helping or assisting role of the means.

a less effective way

Directly addresses the reduced effectiveness compared to other options.

a fallback option

Implies the option is used when primary methods are unavailable or unsuccessful.

a last-resort strategy

Suggests the strategy is only used when all other options have failed.

FAQs

How can I use "a marginal means" in a sentence?

You can use "a marginal means" to describe a method or resource that has a limited or secondary impact. For example: "The project relied on "a marginal means of communication", which hindered effective collaboration."

What are some alternatives to "a marginal means"?

Alternatives include phrases like "a limited resource", "a supplementary method", or "a secondary approach" depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "a marginal means" in formal writing?

Yes, "a marginal means" can be used in formal writing, particularly in scientific or technical contexts, to accurately describe the limited impact of a particular method or resource.

What does "marginal" imply in the phrase "a marginal means"?

"Marginal" implies that the means is not central or highly significant; it suggests a limited degree of effectiveness or importance.