controversial study

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "controversial study" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a research study that has sparked debate or disagreement among experts or the public. Example: "The controversial study on climate change has led to heated discussions among scientists and policymakers."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The debate is finally shifting, mostly thanks to a controversial study.

The Guardian

Her comments came right after a controversial study conducted by Facebook became public.

The Guardian - Opinion

In his controversial study of the economic bases of society, Qu'est ce que la propriété?

Encyclopedia Britannica

The F.D.A. announced that it had ordered Glaxo to end a controversial study comparing Avandia and Actos, made by Takeda.

The New York Times - Health

A controversial study in which researchers generated an infectious horsepox virus using synthetic DNA and reverse genetics was recently reported.

Nature

Philip Zimbardo describes the classic and controversial study suggesting how ordinary, decent people can commit heinous acts.

University of California, Berkeley

He relished provocative observations, and began this controversial study by opposing the naked ("huddled and defenceless") with the nude ("balanced, prosperous and confident … the body re-formed").

The Guardian - Books

New universities are more academically effective than those in the research-led Russell group, the results of a controversial study revealed today.

The Guardian

The controversial study, run in the basement of Stanford University in 1971, saw participants passively accept psychological abuse and follow orders to harass other prisoners.

The Guardian

In 1993 Derrida's longstanding admiration for Marx was given full elaboration in a controversial study, Spectres de Marx (Spectres Of Marx).

The Guardian

(They co-authored a controversial study with Elizabeth Warren that found that over half of personal bankruptcies involved medical problems).

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "controversial study", briefly explain why the study is considered controversial to provide context for your audience.

Common error

Avoid using the phrase "controversial study" to sensationalize minor disagreements. Ensure the study genuinely faces significant scrutiny or debate before applying this label.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "controversial study" functions as a noun phrase, where "controversial" modifies the noun "study". It serves to categorize a particular piece of research as one that has generated significant disagreement or debate. Ludwig AI confirms this through numerous examples across diverse sources.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Academia

30%

Science

20%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

3%

Wiki

3%

Formal & Business

4%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "controversial study" is a common and grammatically correct way to describe research that has sparked debate or disagreement. As Ludwig AI confirms, it appears frequently in news, academic, and scientific contexts. When using this phrase, it's crucial to provide context on why the study is considered controversial to avoid misinterpretations. Alternatives like "contentious study" or "disputed study" can offer similar meanings with slightly different nuances. While the phrase itself is neutral in tone, its usage should be carefully considered to avoid sensationalizing minor disagreements. In short, understanding the context and impact of the research is key to using "controversial study" effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

contentious study

This alternative replaces "controversial" with "contentious", highlighting the disputable nature of the study.

disputed study

Using "disputed" instead of "controversial" emphasizes that the findings or methods of the study are being challenged.

debatable study

Replacing "controversial" with "debatable" suggests that the study's conclusions are open to discussion and argument.

questionable study

Substituting "controversial" with "questionable" implies doubts about the validity or reliability of the study.

polemical study

Using "polemical" emphasizes the controversial nature of the study and its tendency to provoke strong reactions.

hotly debated research

This alternative uses a more descriptive phrase to convey the intensity of the debate surrounding the research.

divisive research

Replacing "controversial" with "divisive" highlights the study's tendency to cause disagreement and separation among different groups.

much-debated study

Adding "much-debated" before "study" emphasizes that it's a topic of extensive discussion and disagreement.

contentious research project

This alternative rephrases "study" as "research project" while maintaining the sense of contention.

provocative study

Substituting "controversial" with "provocative" indicates that the study is likely to generate strong interest or even strong negative reaction.

FAQs

How can I use "controversial study" in a sentence?

You can use "controversial study" to describe a piece of research that has generated disagreement or debate. For instance: "The "controversial study" on the effects of social media on teenagers sparked a nationwide discussion."

What's a good substitute for "controversial study"?

Alternatives include "disputed study", "contentious study", or "debatable study" depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is it always appropriate to label research as a "controversial study"?

No, it's important to ensure that the research genuinely faces significant scrutiny or debate before labeling it a "controversial study". Overusing the term can diminish its impact and credibility.

What makes a study "controversial"?

A study might be deemed "controversial" due to its methodology, findings, ethical implications, or potential impact on policy or public opinion. It often involves significant disagreement among experts or the public.