initial survey

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "initial survey" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to the first assessment or evaluation conducted on a particular subject or area. Example: "Before starting the project, we need to conduct an initial survey to gather relevant data."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

In that initial survey, about 63percentt said yes.

The Washington Post

Italy's cultural ministry said: "After an initial survey, damage to cultural patrimony appears significant".

The Guardian

After your initial survey, you might want to delve deeper into certain specialties.

The New York Times - Arts

The results of the initial survey coincided with the start of the strategic-planning cycle.

Harvard Business Review

Simmons said during an initial survey he thought about half the cattle had been killed.

The Guardian

In an initial survey, participants shared background information, such as their gender and party affiliation.

Yale University

Questions added after the initial survey was distributed are included here.

Yale University

An initial survey of jurors, Mr. Meringer said, produced six guilty votes, four undecided, and two not guilty.

The New York Times

The initial survey found some charred wood, indicating a fire may have played a part in the ship's loss.

The New York Times - Science

The data from this initial survey was then compared with 25 separate measures of each employee's performance.

The New York Times

To investigate this, we again contacted our original sample of high status wives three years after our initial survey.

Harvard Business Review

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When designing an "initial survey", clearly define its scope and objectives to ensure focused data collection. A well-defined purpose helps in formulating relevant questions and avoiding unnecessary information.

Common error

Avoid designing an "initial survey" that is overly extensive or complex. The purpose of an initial survey is to gather preliminary data and insights, not to conduct a thorough investigation. Keep it concise and targeted.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "initial survey" functions primarily as a noun phrase, where "initial" acts as an adjective modifying the noun "survey". It identifies a specific type of survey, denoting its place in a sequence of assessments. As confirmed by Ludwig, the phrase is grammatically sound and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

40%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

7%

Reference

3%

Wiki

2%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "initial survey" is a common and grammatically correct term used to describe the first data collection or assessment phase in a process, as verified by Ludwig AI. It functions as a noun phrase and appears frequently in science, news & media, and formal & business contexts. When using the phrase, it's important to clearly define the scope and objectives to ensure focused data collection. Alternatives like "preliminary assessment" or "first examination" can be used depending on the specific context. Remember to avoid making the "initial survey" overly extensive, as it's meant to gather preliminary insights rather than conduct a thorough investigation.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary assessment

Focuses on the evaluative aspect of the first look, rather than data collection through questioning.

first examination

Implies a closer inspection and detailed look at something, varying slightly from a broad overview.

opening inquiry

Emphasizes the investigative nature of the first stage, rather than the data gathering aspect.

initial evaluation

Highlights the judgment aspect of the process more than the comprehensive data collection.

pilot study

Refers to a small-scale preliminary study conducted to evaluate feasibility, time, cost, adverse events, and improve upon the study design prior to performance of a full-scale research project.

baseline study

Focuses on establishing a reference point for measuring future changes.

primary research

Implies original data collection directly from sources, differing from analyzing existing data.

early investigation

Stresses the initial phase of an inquiry, differing in emphasis from a structured data collection method.

introductory questionnaire

Specifically denotes the use of a written set of questions, unlike a general survey.

reconnaissance survey

Implies an exploratory survey to gain initial information, especially in a geographical or military context.

FAQs

How do I use "initial survey" in a sentence?

You can use "initial survey" to describe the first assessment or data collection effort in a project. For example, "The company conducted an "initial survey" to understand customer preferences."

What's a good alternative to "initial survey"?

Depending on the context, you can use alternatives like "preliminary assessment", "first examination", or "opening inquiry". Each of these emphasizes slightly different aspects of the initial data gathering process.

What should an initial survey focus on?

An "initial survey" should focus on gathering broad, high-level data to identify key trends and insights. It's best used to inform further, more detailed investigations or surveys, not to provide conclusive results.

What is the difference between an "initial survey" and a follow-up survey?

An "initial survey" is the first data collection effort, designed to gather baseline information. A follow-up survey builds upon this, seeking to track changes, validate findings, or gather more detailed data based on the ""initial survey"" results.