difficult data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "difficult data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to data that is challenging to analyze, interpret, or work with in some way. Example: "The researchers faced significant challenges due to the difficult data they collected during the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

30 human-written examples

However, this is very difficult data to work with.

The Guardian

– Lillian Pierson, founder of Data-Mania Complexity of government makes it difficult: "Data analysis often needs multiple parts of government (central, multi-tiered local, arms length) to work together to deliver the desired outcome.

The Guardian

Eric Foner, making the best of difficult data, suggests that, across the country and throughout the duration of slavery, the number of white Americans who regularly aided fugitives was in the hundreds.

The New Yorker

Difficult data sets will not be recommended to model.

Journal of Cheminformatics

The three were working with massive data sets from the Large Hadron Collider and became frustrated by how difficult data management was.

TechCrunch

The wide use of EISs and Auto-ID devices within an enterprise increases the difficulties in data interoperability among difficult data sources.

Advanced Engineering Informatics

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

29 human-written examples

The satisfaction with the BIM-technology at intermediate stage of the design class has been reported as low, due to the very difficult data-transfer, inconsistency and data losses, especially so for the thermal simulation, where models had to be redrawn.

Visualization in Engineering

Everything can be hacked, and while not impossible, it is difficult for data to remain useful when stripped of all identifying information.

Huffington Post

Pinpointing what is happening to sales prices nationwide is difficult because data is diffuse and unreliable.

The New York Times

The keyword search becomes difficult when data are encrypted.

Journal of Cloud Computing

Floodplain mapping using hydrodynamic models is difficult in data scarce regions.

Journal of Hydrology

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "difficult data", be specific about the nature of the difficulty. For example, is it due to the data's complexity, ambiguity, or lack of reliability?

Common error

Avoid using "difficult data" as a vague descriptor. Instead, pinpoint the specific characteristic making the data challenging, such as "difficult to interpret data" or "data with difficult to resolve inconsistencies."

Linguistic Context

The phrase "difficult data" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "difficult" modifies the noun "data". The adjective specifies a quality of the data, indicating that it presents challenges or obstacles in its handling or interpretation, according to Ludwig.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

50%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

8%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "difficult data" is a grammatically correct and usable phrase that refers to data presenting challenges in analysis or interpretation. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is typically found in scientific and news contexts. While not exceptionally common, its meaning is clear and consistent. When using "difficult data", ensure you're specific about the source and nature of the difficulty. Consider using alternatives like "complex data" or "challenging data" to add nuance to your writing. By following these guidelines, you can use the term accurately and effectively.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

complex data

Focuses on the intricacy and multifaceted nature of the data, implying a challenge in comprehending its various elements and their relationships.

challenging data

Highlights the demanding nature of the data, suggesting that it requires significant effort and skill to handle effectively.

problematic data

Emphasizes the presence of issues or complications within the data that hinder its usefulness or reliability.

intricate data

Similar to complex data, it underscores the elaborate and interconnected nature of the information.

sensitive data

Indicates that the data requires careful handling and protection due to its confidential or potentially harmful nature.

unreliable data

Highlights the lack of trustworthiness and consistency in the data, making it difficult to rely on for accurate conclusions.

ambiguous data

Suggests that the data is open to multiple interpretations, leading to uncertainty and potential misinterpretations.

inconsistent data

Indicates a lack of uniformity and coherence within the data, making it challenging to integrate and analyze effectively.

incomplete data

Emphasizes the absence of necessary information within the dataset, limiting its usefulness for comprehensive analysis.

unstructured data

Focuses on the lack of predefined format or organization in the data, requiring additional effort to process and analyze.

FAQs

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

You can use "difficult data" to describe datasets that are challenging to analyze or interpret. For example, "The research team struggled with the "difficult data" collected from the field study."

What are some alternatives to "difficult data"?

Alternatives include "complex data", "challenging data", or "problematic data", depending on the specific reason the data is considered difficult.

When is it appropriate to use the phrase "difficult data"?

Use "difficult data" when you want to convey that the data presents obstacles to understanding or analysis due to its inherent properties.

What makes data "difficult"?

Data can be "difficult" due to various reasons, such as its "complexity", "ambiguity", "inconsistency", or the presence of missing values. The specific nature of the difficulty should be clarified for better understanding.