inconclusive data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "inconclusive data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when referring to data that does not provide clear or definitive results or conclusions. Example: "The study yielded inconclusive data, making it difficult to draw any firm conclusions about the effectiveness of the treatment."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

Faced with inconclusive data, most had simply followed their instincts.

The New York Times

For adults, other than pregnant women, it becomes more of a personal choice given the inconclusive data.

The New Yorker

Lowell's hypotheses about a "Planet X" were based on optimistic interpretations of inconclusive data.

The New York Times

There is a fine line between encouraging interest in your results, and hyping up inconclusive data into something they are not.

The Guardian

The statement will be scoured for any hints as to when the Fed might begin tapering, although economists do not expect this to happen before next year given the recent government shutdown and fairly inconclusive data.

The Guardian - Business

But if the notoriously inconclusive data on sex education show anything, it's that teaching abstinence makes it more likely that young people will have unsafe sex once they start having it.

The New York Times - Books

He claims that "the temptation to pronounce the end of India growth story amounts to jumping to conclusions based on inconclusive data and changing situation".

The New York Times

In an op-ed column in the newspaper DNA, Parsa Venkateshwar Rao Jr. writes: "The temptation to pronounce the end of [the] India growth story amounts to jumping to conclusions based on inconclusive data and [a] changing situation".

The New York Times

Due to inconclusive data, the effect of q FETOX-8 was not confirmed.

Rice

To adopt a cautious balanced attitude based on clear but inconclusive data appears to be a lose-out strategy.

Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications

Previous research in this field has offered inconclusive data on whether Internet addiction can be classified as a disorder.

Computers in Human Behavior

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "inconclusive data", clearly state the limitations of the data and avoid drawing definitive conclusions. Focus on outlining potential interpretations and the need for further investigation.

Common error

Avoid presenting "inconclusive data" as definitive evidence. Doing so can mislead your audience and undermine the credibility of your findings. Instead, acknowledge the uncertainty and suggest avenues for future research.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "inconclusive data" functions as a noun phrase where "inconclusive" modifies "data". It describes information that does not provide a clear or definitive answer. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across a variety of contexts.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

33%

Formal & Business

5%

Less common in

Reference

0%

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "inconclusive data" is a commonly used phrase that describes information failing to provide clear or definitive results. According to Ludwig AI, the phrase is grammatically sound and appears across multiple domains, including science, news, and business. When using this phrase, it's crucial to acknowledge the limitations of the data and avoid overstating conclusions. Alternatives such as "ambiguous findings" or "indeterminate results" can be used depending on the specific context. Understanding these nuances ensures clear and accurate communication.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

Ambiguous findings

Replaces 'data' with 'findings' and 'inconclusive' with 'ambiguous', highlighting the lack of clarity in the results.

Indeterminate results

Substitutes 'inconclusive' with 'indeterminate' and 'data' with 'results', emphasizing the uncertainty of the outcome.

Equivocal evidence

Uses 'equivocal' to replace 'inconclusive', stressing the open to interpretation nature of the evidence.

Uncertain information

Replaces 'data' with 'information' and 'inconclusive' with 'uncertain', highlighting the lack of sureness.

Vague indications

Uses 'vague' instead of 'inconclusive' and 'indications' instead of 'data', focusing on the indistinct nature of the signals.

Dubious statistics

Replaces 'inconclusive' with 'dubious', questioning the reliability of the statistics.

Unreliable figures

Substitutes 'data' with 'figures' and 'inconclusive' with 'unreliable', suggesting the figures cannot be trusted.

Incomplete records

Uses 'incomplete' to emphasize the missing or unfinished nature of the records instead of focusing on inconclusive results.

Fragmentary intelligence

Replaces 'data' with 'intelligence' and 'inconclusive' with 'fragmentary', suggesting the information is broken or in pieces.

Speculative findings

Highlights the conjectural nature of the findings, rather than focusing on their inconclusive aspect.

FAQs

How can I effectively present "inconclusive data"?

When presenting "inconclusive data", it's crucial to highlight the limitations, potential biases, and alternative interpretations. Transparency about the data's shortcomings maintains credibility and encourages further investigation.

What are some alternatives to the phrase "inconclusive data"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "ambiguous findings", "indeterminate results", or "equivocal evidence". Each option subtly shifts the emphasis on the nature of the uncertainty.

Is it acceptable to base decisions on "inconclusive data"?

While ideal decisions are based on solid evidence, sometimes decisions must be made despite "inconclusive data". In such cases, acknowledge the uncertainty, consider potential risks, and outline a plan to gather more definitive information in the future.

How does "inconclusive data" differ from "negative results"?

"Inconclusive data" suggests the results are unclear or don't lead to a firm conclusion. "Negative results", on the other hand, indicate that the expected outcome did not occur. While both require careful interpretation, they represent distinct outcomes.