fragmentary data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "fragmentary data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to incomplete or partial sets of data that do not provide a full picture of the subject being analyzed. Example: "The research findings were inconclusive due to the reliance on fragmentary data collected from various sources."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

23 human-written examples

13Estimates based on fragmentary data.

Encyclopedia Britannica

Initially, that only "fragmentary" data was collected.

The Guardian - Tech

We supplement our insights here by analyzing fragmentary data from the first two of these branches.

Harvard University

Contrast the information collected by Netscape's cookie software with the more fragmentary data that companies acquire today.

Harvard Business Review

This paper surveys the existing fragmentary data on the growth of university-owned patents and university-invented patents in Europe.

Research Policy

But in outlining the evidence that prompted those conclusions, they also repeatedly acknowledged that they had been based on circumstantial, fragmentary data.

The New York Times

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

37 human-written examples

In this case, we do not want to score the missing residues as deletions of conserved base pairs, but neither do we want to leave the homologous observed residues unaligned if we are trying to get the most information from fragmentary sequence data.

Bioinformatics

While fragmentary, the data mirror the trends discerned in England and Wales.

Crime Science

Although fragmentary discharge data of the past decades do not allow a statistical classification of this event, investigations of KIT showed the necessity of extending the flood relief system's discharge capacity.

Applied Water Science

Much in the same way that she has succeeded in evoking the whole, living person through her sculptures of incomplete faces, solitary eyeballs, and truncated hands, I hope to render the unique force and trajectory of her life and work despite fragmentary biographical data and the loss or damage of many of her sculptures.

Johns Hopkins University

It must be noticed that, although an effort has been made to stick to the fragmentary structural data available, the starting conformation used for the hydrophilic loops correspond, at most, to an energetically reasonable conformation.

Plosone

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "fragmentary data", clearly acknowledge the limitations it imposes on your analysis or conclusions. This transparency enhances credibility.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions based solely on "fragmentary data". Clearly indicate that your findings are preliminary or suggestive, rather than conclusive.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "fragmentary data" functions as an adjective-noun combination. The adjective 'fragmentary' modifies the noun 'data', indicating that the data is incomplete or in pieces. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase is grammatically correct and usable.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

35%

Academia

25%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "fragmentary data" is a grammatically correct and usable term for describing incomplete or partial information. As Ludwig AI confirms, its usage is appropriate across various contexts, especially in science, news, and academic writing. While not exceptionally common, the phrase effectively conveys the limitation of available data. When employing "fragmentary data" in your writing, it's crucial to acknowledge its limitations and avoid drawing overly definitive conclusions. Consider alternative phrases like "incomplete dataset" or "limited data" depending on the specific context. Remember, transparency is key when working with limited information.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

incomplete dataset

Indicates the data is not whole or finished.

partial information

Focuses on the aspect of data being only a part of the whole.

limited data

Emphasizes the scarce quantity of the data.

patchy information

Suggests that the data is inconsistent and has gaps.

sketchy data

Implies the data is unreliable or poorly substantiated.

scattered information

Suggests the data is dispersed and not easily collected.

piecemeal data

Highlights the data being gathered in small increments.

disconnected data

Stresses the lack of coherence or relation within the data.

circumstantial evidence

Highlights that evidence is not direct but inferred.

anecdotal evidence

Suggests evidence is based on personal accounts rather than systematic research.

FAQs

What does "fragmentary data" mean?

The term "fragmentary data" refers to incomplete, scattered, or insufficient information. It implies that the available data provides only a partial or limited view of the subject being examined.

How can I use "fragmentary data" effectively in research?

Acknowledge the limitations of the data, use it to identify trends or hypotheses, and emphasize the need for further research to gather more complete information. Be transparent about the scope of your findings given the limited data available.

What are some alternatives to using "fragmentary data"?

Depending on the context, you can use phrases like "incomplete dataset", "partial information", or "limited data".

Is it acceptable to make assumptions based on "fragmentary data"?

Making strong assumptions based solely on "fragmentary data" is generally not advisable. Instead, use the data to formulate tentative hypotheses or directions for further investigation, always recognizing the inherent uncertainties.