dubious study

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dubious study" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a study that is questionable in terms of its validity, reliability, or ethical standards. Example: "The researchers dismissed the findings of the dubious study, citing numerous methodological flaws."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

A recent (if highly dubious) study of Brooklyn families linked helicopter mothering with philandering.

The New York Times

Using a dubious study, they contend they can raise the minimum wage without putting people out of work -- something economic theory and an avalanche of data dispute.

The Washington Post

The more important issue is why he included such a dubious study in this discussion.

Evolution: Education and Outreach

Am I making things worse by sharing a piece about a possibly dubious study?

Vice

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"When discussing just about every one of these dubious studies, [the New York State Department of Health] admits that they actually didn't have any evidence to link hydraulic fracturing to health impacts," wrote Katie Brown, a blogger for the Independent Petroleum Association of America outreach group Energy In Depth.

Science Magazine

The Times revealed that Dr. Willie Soon had been paid over 1.6 million dollars to create scientifically dubious studies absolving the fossil fuel industry of any responsibility for climate change.

Huffington Post

One piece of evidence Osmosis presented on its website, a document the form of an unpublished clinical trial, was described in the lawsuit as "dubious". The study contained no control group using, for instance, a standard 30 SPF sunscreen.

The Washington Post

The book's second section is dedicated to showing how the idea of innate gender difference is becoming increasingly widely accepted – whether through fawning media coverage of dubious academic studies or the popularity of Disney princesses.

The Guardian - Books

From accusations that baby shampoo and lotion, crib mattresses, children's clothing and raincoats, canned food and even baby formula contain cancer-causing toxins to the near-daily headlines generated by dubious scientific studies, parents can't escape the message that the world is beset with extraordinary dangers.

Huffington Post

To be sure, not all investments from tax havens are dubious, so the study employed a multiprong strategy.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

In a recent advice article for men, authors of dating book The Rules explained that "[Women] secretly love this stuff!!" That term "Women" is pretty universal, although instead of citing a dubious tiny-sample study, they've gone with the persuasive "double exclamation point" trick – like a Daily Express journalist using caps-lock to convince us that "BROCCOLI CURES CANCER".

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using the phrase "dubious study", clearly articulate the reasons for your skepticism. Providing specific examples of methodological flaws or biases strengthens your critique.

Common error

Avoid labeling a study as "dubious" solely based on disagreement with its findings. A valid critique requires identifying specific weaknesses in the study's design, data analysis, or interpretation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dubious study" functions as an adjective-noun combination, where "dubious" modifies "study". It serves to qualify a study as being questionable or suspect in its methodology, results, or conclusions. Ludwig AI confirms that this is a standard and accepted usage.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Academia

20%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dubious study" is a grammatically sound and relatively common way to describe research that is questionable or unreliable. As Ludwig AI points out, it's used across various contexts, including news, science, and academia. When employing this phrase, it's crucial to provide specific reasons for your skepticism, referencing methodological flaws or biases. Alternatives like "questionable study" or "unreliable study" can be used to convey a similar meaning. However, avoid overstating the dubiousness without evidence to support your critique.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Questionable study

Replaces "dubious" with a more direct synonym, maintaining a similar level of formality.

Unreliable study

Focuses on the lack of reliability as the primary concern with the study.

Suspect study

Implies a stronger level of doubt or suspicion regarding the study's validity.

Flawed study

Highlights the presence of errors or weaknesses in the study's design or execution.

Controversial study

Suggests the study has generated debate or disagreement due to its findings or methodology.

Disputable study

Emphasizes the contestable nature of the study's claims or conclusions.

Unconvincing study

Indicates that the study fails to provide sufficient evidence or reasoning to support its conclusions.

Weak study

Points to the study's lack of strength or rigor in its methodology or analysis.

Poorly designed study

Specifically critiques the study's design as a source of its problems.

Scientifically unsound study

Highlights the study's deviation from accepted scientific principles or practices.

FAQs

What does "dubious study" mean?

A "dubious study" refers to a research project or analysis whose validity or reliability is questionable. This could be due to flaws in methodology, biased data, or misinterpretation of results.

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

You might say, "The scientist dismissed the conclusions drawn from the "dubious study" due to its small sample size." or "Many experts consider the study's methodology dubious."

What are some alternatives to "dubious study"?

Alternatives include "questionable study", "unreliable study", or "suspect study", depending on the specific reason for doubt.

What makes a study "dubious"?

A study can be considered "dubious" if it exhibits methodological flaws, biased data collection or analysis, conflicts of interest, or a lack of transparency in its procedures. The results of such a study should be interpreted with caution.