a small trial

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a small trial" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a minor or preliminary test or experiment, often in a scientific or research context. Example: "Before launching the new product, the company conducted a small trial to gather feedback from a select group of users."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

So now this is a small trial.

Cornell University

Aguilar led me to a small trial plot.

The New Yorker

It was also a small trial, involving only 103 patients.

The New York Times

And so these patients in a small trial seemed to have improvement in their cognition.

Cornell University

The company has said it is conducting a small trial with a few partners.

The New York Times - Tech

Belgium plans to start a small trial of 50 drivers in September.

The New York Times - Science

Cinda ran its first Taobao auction of non-performing loans as a small trial in March.

The Economist

In a small trial, the researchers successfully lured and captured some starfish -- proof, they say, that the concept works.

The New York Times - Science

It previously reported that 26percentt of patients had gained three lines of vision in a small trial.

The New York Times

Phase 1 is a small trial to determine at what dose the drug can be taken safely.

The New Yorker

In such a small trial, researchers will be able to pick up only obvious problems, Dr. Fauci said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research or experiments, use "a small trial" to indicate a study with a limited number of participants or a restricted scope, often conducted as a preliminary step.

Common error

Avoid overstating the significance of findings from "a small trial". Emphasize that the results may not be generalizable to a larger population and further research is needed.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a small trial" primarily functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It describes a research study or experiment that is limited in scale or scope. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

45%

Science

35%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a small trial" is a common and grammatically correct expression used to describe a research study or experiment that is limited in scope or size. As Ludwig AI confirms, its use is widespread across various reputable sources, including news media, scientific publications, and academic texts. The term conveys that findings may be preliminary and require further validation. When using "a small trial", it's important to avoid overstating the significance of the results due to the study's limited scale. Related phrases include "pilot study" and "preliminary experiment", offering alternative ways to express similar concepts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

pilot study

This alternative emphasizes the preliminary and exploratory nature of the trial.

mini-trial

This is a more concise, informal way of saying "a small trial".

preliminary experiment

This term highlights the initial and tentative aspect of the experiment.

limited study

This phrase focuses on the restricted scope and scale of the investigation.

early-stage trial

Highlights that the trial is in its beginning phases of development.

feasibility study

This alternative underscores the assessment of practicality and viability.

brief test

Focuses on the short duration and limited scope of the assessment.

exploratory investigation

This emphasizes the investigative and discovery-oriented nature of the trial.

initial assessment

This phrase underscores the evaluative nature and the beginning stages.

proof-of-concept study

This alternative emphasizes the purpose of validating a concept or idea.

FAQs

What does "a small trial" mean in research?

In research, "a small trial" refers to a study conducted with a limited number of participants or a narrow scope, often used as a preliminary step to gather initial data or test feasibility before a larger, more comprehensive study.

What are the limitations of "a small trial"?

The primary limitation of "a small trial" is the potential for results not to be generalizable to a larger population. Small sample sizes can reduce statistical power and increase the risk of both false positive and false negative findings.

When is it appropriate to conduct "a small trial"?

It is appropriate to conduct "a small trial" when exploring a new research area, testing the feasibility of a new intervention, or gathering preliminary data to inform the design of a larger study. It's also useful when resources are limited.

What can I say instead of "a small trial"?

You can use alternatives like "pilot study", "preliminary experiment", or "limited study" depending on the context.