awkward data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "awkward data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe data that is difficult to interpret, analyze, or present due to its format or nature. Example: "The analysis was challenging due to the awkward data we received from the survey, which included incomplete responses."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

The network virtually eliminates latency -- that awkward data delay between posing a question in one place and having a person in another place see and hear the question.

The New York Times - Tech

That is despite its use of a novel methodology designed, at least in part, to address the concerns of what Dr Muller terms "legitimate sceptics".Most important, Berkeley Earth sought an alternative way to deal with awkward data.

The Economist

It ventures into diving technology old and new; the challenges of preservation and restoration; the geophysical history of the eastern Mediterranean; the complexities of the calendar; the marvels of increasingly sophisticated detector technologies; the obsessions of scientists, their competitiveness and their occasional willingness to ignore awkward data in favour of a pet theory.

The Guardian

By contrast, with the second approach we must model the typically awkward data on surrogate (here OS) therapy use.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

The method is related to the anti-z-COSY 10,  11 experiment, but avoids the latter's long minimum acquisition times, awkward data processing, and failure to deal efficiently with unwanted coherence transfer and strong coupling.

Angewandte Chemie - International Edition

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

55 human-written examples

The New York University communication scholar Siva Vaidhyanathan has even proclaimed "the collapse of inconvenience" to a Boston Globe writer, referring to the millions of Web users who employ the pitiless eye of search engines to hunt for awkward personal data, from youthful indiscretions to middle-aged eccentricities and worse.

MIT Technology Review

This high volume of output is unnecessarily awkward for exome data and impracticable for whole genome data.

Bioinformatics

There is currently an awkward marriage between data and algorithms.

The Guardian

Our world affairs editor, Julian Borger, has more on that awkward newly declassified data showing that Obama has made fewer reductions to the US nuclear weapons stockpile than any president since the end of the cold war.

The Guardian

This is also not the only awkward story re: data privacy concerns related to a Tory political app.

TechCrunch

Demand for palmtop computers, organisers and smart telephones is currently held back by the need to enter data using awkward symbols and a clumsy stylus or cramped keyboard.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "awkward data", clarify why the data is considered awkward. Is it due to its format, inconsistencies, or difficulty in interpretation? Providing context will enhance understanding.

Common error

Avoid using "awkward data" as a catch-all term. Be specific about the nature of the problem. Instead of just saying the data is awkward, explain if it's incomplete, inconsistent, or requires extensive preprocessing.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "awkward data" functions as a descriptor, where the adjective "awkward" modifies the noun "data". Ludwig AI indicates that this phrase is grammatically correct and usable. The primary grammatical function is to attribute a quality (awkwardness) to the data.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

50%

Science

50%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "awkward data" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase to describe data that presents challenges due to its format, inconsistencies, or other issues. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness. While not exceptionally frequent, its use spans across news and scientific domains. When using this phrase, ensure you provide specific details about why the data is considered awkward to provide clarity and context. Alternatives like "difficult data" or "problematic data" may also be suitable depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

difficult data

Replaces "awkward" with a more direct synonym, emphasizing the challenging nature of the data.

unwieldy data

Focuses on the cumbersome and difficult-to-manage aspect of the data.

problematic data

Highlights that the data presents issues or difficulties in analysis or use.

challenging data

Similar to "difficult data", but can also imply that overcoming the challenges is rewarding.

cumbersome data

Emphasizes the burden or inconvenience associated with handling the data.

inconvenient data

Focuses on the disruption or trouble caused by the nature of the data.

troublesome data

Suggests that the data is a source of worry or difficulty.

unmanageable data

Indicates the data is beyond one's ability to control or direct it effectively.

complex data

Describes data that may be difficult due to its intricacy and interwoven elements.

messy data

Implies that the data is disorganized or requires cleaning and preparation.

FAQs

How can I use "awkward data" in a sentence?

You can use "awkward data" to describe datasets that are difficult to work with due to their format, inconsistencies, or the need for extensive cleaning. For example: "The analysis was hindered by the "awkward data" collected from the survey, which contained many incomplete entries".

What are some alternatives to saying "awkward data"?

Depending on the specific issue, you could use alternatives like "difficult data", "unwieldy data", or "problematic data".

What makes data "awkward"?

Data can be described as "awkward" when it presents unexpected challenges due to its structure, format, or content. This might include missing values, inconsistencies, or a format that's difficult to process with standard tools.

Is it appropriate to use "awkward data" in formal writing?

Yes, "awkward data" is appropriate in formal writing, but consider the context. In highly technical or scientific writing, more precise terms like "noisy data" or "incomplete data" might be preferable if they more accurately describe the issue.