imperfect method

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "imperfect method" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a technique or approach that is not fully effective or has flaws. Example: "While the results were promising, the researchers acknowledged that their imperfect method needed further refinement."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

12 human-written examples

He recommends the imperfect method of suppressing fertility through continued breast-feeding, which many Gazan women had abandoned when international organizations started supplying them with formula that allowed them to wean their babies early.

The New York Times

Although using a benchmark significance level is an imperfect method of detecting time trends, failing to correct for farm-level time trends has its own costs.

Agricultural and Food Economics

As it stands though, filtering interviews with staunch conservatives through a Democrat's lens is an entertaining yet imperfect method.

Vice

It's an imperfect method of research, since such subjects are rare and no two have exactly the same injuries.

Los Angeles Times

Postmortem examination (even with culture of tissue samples) is therefore an imperfect method for detecting infection and the use of it as a gold standard against which to judge the performance of other diagnostic tests may introduce significant error.

Plosone

Even more importantly, SSM are claimed to be robust [5] and better than classical techniques [12], but to our knowledge, their performances have never been objectively tested with tracking data from wild animals because by definition we only know where an animal is through the imperfect method used.

Plosone

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

48 human-written examples

However he admitted that all such efforts depend on imperfect methods, and didn't dispute Fulvio Orto, from Bocconi University in Italy, when he spoke of a high "noise to signal ratio" in the rankings.

The New York Times

In our bumbling way, we had discovered the same imperfect methods used by the old-timers, like members of the Northern Nut Growers Association (www.nutgrowers.org) or my local extension agent, who told me about the milk truck loaded with 10,000 gallons of milk that drove up his lane, rolled over three bushels of painstakingly gathered nuts and obliterated them.

The New York Times

Other external guesstimates such as Yipit's also point to a drop, but again, the more I learn about how this data is collected, the clearer it is that these are all imperfect methods.

TechCrunch

And the increased "accuracy" still remains contentious to some extent – the product of comparing results from different but imperfect methods and interpretation, rather than the "gold standard" craved by clinical trialists.

Plosone

The method validated in is helpful in verifying possible gene interaction relations in gene networks and filtering out incorrect relations inferred by imperfect methods.

BMC Medical Genomics

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "imperfect method", clarify the specific limitations or drawbacks to provide context and avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid presenting an "imperfect method" as a foolproof solution. Acknowledge its limitations upfront to maintain credibility and transparency.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "imperfect method" functions as a descriptive adjective phrase modifying the noun "method". It characterizes the method as having flaws or limitations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it is a valid and usable phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

60%

News & Media

30%

Wiki

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Social Media

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "imperfect method" is a grammatically sound and usable phrase in English, employed to describe a method that possesses limitations or flaws. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While not exceedingly common, appearing in a range of contexts from scientific research to news reporting, "imperfect method" is particularly prevalent within scientific discourse. It signals a realistic acknowledgement of constraints inherent within a process. Alternatives like "flawed technique" or "suboptimal strategy" can be used depending on the specific nuance you intend to convey. When employing this phrase, clarity is key; articulating the specific limitations of the method enriches understanding and bolsters credibility.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Flawed technique

Emphasizes the presence of errors or shortcomings in the method itself.

Deficient approach

Highlights the inadequacy of the method to achieve the desired outcome.

Suboptimal strategy

Suggests that the method is not the best choice among available options.

Limited methodology

Focuses on the restrictions and constraints associated with the method.

Incomplete process

Indicates that the method is missing essential steps or elements.

Compromised procedure

Implies that the method has been weakened or undermined in some way.

Erroneous system

Draws attention to the mistakes and inaccuracies inherent in the method.

Fallible means

Acknowledges the potential for failure or unreliability in the method.

Imprecise instrument

Highlights the lack of accuracy and precision in the method.

Unreliable tactic

Suggests the method cannot be depended on to produce consistent results.

FAQs

How can I use "imperfect method" in a sentence?

You can use "imperfect method" to describe a process or technique that has flaws or limitations, for example: "Although using a benchmark significance level is an "imperfect method" of detecting time trends, failing to correct for farm-level time trends has its own costs."

What are some alternatives to "imperfect method"?

You can use alternatives such as "flawed technique", "deficient approach", or "suboptimal strategy", depending on the context.

Is it always negative to describe something as an "imperfect method"?

While "imperfect method" acknowledges shortcomings, it isn't necessarily negative. It can also convey realism and transparency, especially when highlighting areas for improvement or further research.

What distinguishes an "imperfect method" from a "failed method"?

An "imperfect method" still yields some results despite its flaws. A "failed method", on the other hand, produces no useful results or causes more harm than good.