a paucity of data

USAGE SUMMARY

"a paucity of data" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase in written English.
It is used to describe a lack of data, usually in comparison to what is needed or desired. For example, "The researchers were disappointed with the study results, as there was a paucity of data to draw meaningful conclusions from."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

Academia

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Diffuse esophageal spasm is also discussed, although there is a paucity of data regarding this condition.

Nature

Currently there is a paucity of data regarding economic differences between practice models.

Stanford University

"Below-ground plant ecology has been understudied, limited by a paucity of data," he said.

Princeton University

To date, a paucity of data exists regarding these methods utilized in the drive hunts.

The New York Times

Pediatric renal abscesses are an uncommon diagnosis, with a paucity of data comparing treatment modalities.

Journal of Pediatric Urology

There is a paucity of data on the coverage of multiple recessions.

Oral Surgery, Oral Medicine, Oral Pathology, Oral Radiology, and Endodontology

However, there is a paucity of data about the physical background of these devices.

Le Praticien en Anesthésie Réanimation

There is a paucity of data for optimal fixation for a traumatically unstable OC joint.

The Spine Journal

A paucity of data is available on the mechanical strength of fifth metatarsal osteotomies.

The Journal of Foot and Ankle Surgery

A paucity of data exists studying outcomes of patients with syringomyelia undergoing spinal deformity correction.

The Spine Journal

A paucity of data exists concerning the normal glycemic profile in nondiabetic pregnancies.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a paucity of data", ensure that the context clearly indicates what kind of data is lacking and why its absence is significant. Provide context to strengthen your claim.

Common error

Avoid using "a paucity of data" when there is absolutely no data available. "Paucity" implies that some data exists, but it is insufficient or inadequate. If there's truly no data, consider phrases like "a complete lack of data".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a paucity of data" functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a state of deficiency. Ludwig provides several examples illustrating this usage, confirming its role in academic and scientific writing.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

63%

Academia

23%

News & Media

6%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "a paucity of data" is a grammatically correct and commonly used phrase to describe a situation where there is insufficient data available. As confirmed by Ludwig, it's primarily found in formal contexts such as scientific research and academic writing. When using this phrase, ensure that your meaning is clear and that you provide enough context to explain the significance of the data deficiency. Remember that while "paucity" suggests some data exists, it's inadequate for the purpose at hand.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a scarcity of data

Replaces "paucity" with "scarcity", maintaining a similar level of formality.

a lack of sufficient data

More explicit and slightly less formal than the original phrase.

a dearth of information

Substitutes "data" with the more general term "information", and "paucity" with "dearth".

insufficient data available

Highlights the inadequacy of the data, rather than just its limited quantity.

a limited amount of data

Focuses on the limited quantity of data available.

a shortage of data

Similar in meaning, but "shortage" can sometimes imply a temporary lack.

limited data exists

A more direct phrasing, emphasizing the existence of limited data.

data is lacking

A simple and direct way to express the absence of sufficient data.

meager data available

Emphasizes the inadequacy and poor quality of the available data.

a vacuum of data

More emphatic, suggesting a complete absence of data.

FAQs

How can I use "a paucity of data" in a sentence?

You can use "a paucity of data" to indicate that there is not enough data available to draw a conclusion or make a decision. For instance, "There is "a paucity of data" regarding the long-term effects of this treatment".

What's a less formal way to say "a paucity of data"?

Less formal alternatives include "a lack of data" or "insufficient data". These options are more common in everyday conversation.

Is "a paucity of data" the same as "a lack of data"?

While similar, "a paucity of data" suggests that some data exists, but it is not enough. "A lack of data" can imply a complete absence of data, although it's often used more broadly to mean insufficient data.

What are some related terms to "a paucity of data"?

Related terms include "a scarcity of data", "a dearth of data", and "limited data". The best choice depends on the specific context and the degree of emphasis you want to convey.