handful of studies

USAGE SUMMARY

'handful of studies' is correct and usable in written English.
For example, you could say: "The topic has been extensively studied; however, only a handful of studies have looked at the effects over a long period of time."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

A handful of studies have shown that compounded drugs can vary widely in quality and efficacy.

The New York Times - Sports

So far, there are only a handful of studies on the two treatments.

The New York Times - Health

Now, a handful of studies indicate that this crusade may have gone too far.

The New York Times

A handful of studies looked at whether there is a causation between sanctuary cities and crime.

The Washington Post

The methods of the handful of studies that exist have been criticized.

The New York Times - Health

A handful of studies have looked mostly at boys who did not conform to gender conventions.

The New York Times

Only a handful of studies have tried to document the challenges and strain endured by large bodies in motion.

The New York Times - Health

"People can poke holes in the studies, but there are a handful of studies with trends in the same direction".

The New York Times - Health

However, a handful of studies suggest that power generators and marketers may have exercised undue influence in California's untidy market.

The New York Times

A handful of studies show that those younger than 65 say they are too busy to use senior centers.

The New York Times

Only a handful of studies, comparing blacks and whites, have evaluated the influence of neighborhood disadvantage on preterm birth.

Social Science & Medicine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "handful of studies", be specific about the context and limitations of the available research. Mentioning the methodology or focus of these studies can add clarity and depth to your analysis.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact or conclusiveness of findings based on only a "handful of studies". Acknowledge the need for further research and larger-scale investigations to validate initial results.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "handful of studies" functions as a quantifier followed by a noun. It specifies that the number of studies related to a particular topic is limited. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, the phrase is correct and usable in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

54%

News & Media

27%

Academia

13%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Reference

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "handful of studies" is a common and correct way to describe a small number of research papers on a particular topic. Ludwig AI confirms its validity and usability in writing. It is used to convey the limited scope of available research and to indicate the need for further investigation. As the Ludwig examples show, this phrase appears most frequently in scientific and news media contexts, reflecting its role in both academic discussions and public reporting on research. When using this phrase, it's best to be specific about the context of the studies and avoid overstating the significance of findings based on a limited sample. Related phrases include "limited number of studies" and "small body of research", which can be used as alternatives depending on the nuance you wish to convey.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

few studies

A more concise way of indicating there are not many studies.

limited number of studies

Emphasizes the scarcity or restriction in the quantity of studies available.

small body of research

Highlights the compact or contained nature of the research available.

scarce research

Emphasizes the lack of abundant research on the topic.

limited research

This alternative focuses on research overall that has been conducted.

sparse amount of literature

Focuses on the thin or scattered nature of the written works.

restricted number of investigations

Highlights the limitation in quantity using a more formal term ('investigations').

isolated studies

This phrase suggest that the studies are separate and not part of a larger coordinated effort.

meager evidence

Suggests that the research provides only a small amount of proof or support.

select few studies

Indicates that the available studies are carefully chosen or represent a particular subset.

FAQs

How can I use "handful of studies" in a sentence?

You can use "handful of studies" to indicate that only a small number of research papers or investigations have been conducted on a specific topic. For example: "Only a "few studies" have examined the long-term effects of this treatment."

What are some alternatives to "handful of studies"?

Alternatives include "limited number of studies", "small body of research", or "sparse amount of literature", depending on the context.

Is it appropriate to use "handful of studies" in formal writing?

Yes, "handful of studies" is generally acceptable in formal writing, but in some contexts, more precise language like "a limited number of studies" might be preferred for greater accuracy.

What does it mean when research is based on only a "handful of studies"?

It suggests that the evidence base is not extensive, and findings should be interpreted with caution. Further research may be necessary to confirm or refute the results.