lack of rigour

USAGE SUMMARY

"lack of rigour" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to describe someone or something that did not go about a task with proper care and attention to detail. For example: "The student's essay was marked down due to a lack of rigour in their research and analysis."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

49 human-written examples

The lack of rigour on this crucial issue is staggering.

The Guardian - Opinion

There are three areas in his programmes where the lack of rigour is most striking.

The Guardian

But the report also exposes a chilling lack of rigour and a political culture of deference.

The Guardian - Opinion

Part of our difficulty is a lack of rigour in Earth sciences.

Nature

A rapid proliferation of biosensors and their diversity has led to a lack of rigour in defining their performance criteria.

Biosensors and Bioelectronics

If you're an intellectual, you would not want to claim middle classness, because it implies complacency and lack of rigour.

Independent

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

11 human-written examples

He believes the lack of academic rigour will be reconciled with an intensive workload.

The Guardian

He thinks there is a lack of intellectual rigour about Hume.

The Guardian

This meant a lack of academic rigour with basic literacy and numeracy neglected.

Independent

But he quickly became disillusioned with what he saw as the discipline's lack of scientific rigour.

The Guardian

I have been shocked at the fragility and lack of professional rigour of some well-known enterprises which have popped up on our radars.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When criticizing a process or analysis, follow "lack of rigour" with specific examples of where the rigour was lacking to strengthen your critique.

Common error

Avoid using "lack of rigour" in very casual settings; simpler terms like "careless" or "sloppy" might be more appropriate.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "lack of rigour" functions primarily as a noun phrase. It denotes the absence of thoroughness, precision, or strict adherence to established procedures or standards. Ludwig shows many examples where it acts as the subject or object of a sentence, describing a deficiency in a particular process or method.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

48%

Science

37%

Formal & Business

15%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "lack of rigour" is a noun phrase that describes the absence of thoroughness, precision, or careful methodology. Ludwig indicates it is grammatically correct and finds it to be a very common phrase, particularly in News & Media and Science contexts. Its primary function is to criticize deficiencies in processes or analyses. As a formal expression, it's best used in professional or academic writing, avoiding overuse in casual conversation. Remember to provide specific examples when using "lack of rigour" to strengthen your critique. Alternative phrases include "absence of thoroughness", "lack of precision", and "deficiency in diligence". Ludwig provides ample examples across reputable sources, affirming the phrase's validity and widespread use.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

absence of thoroughness

Emphasizes the missing quality of being comprehensive and detailed.

lack of precision

Highlights the absence of exactness and accuracy.

deficiency in diligence

Focuses on the insufficient application of careful and persistent effort.

want of meticulousness

Emphasizes the absence of extreme care and attention to detail.

carelessness

Highlights a lack of attention or concern, potentially leading to errors.

superficiality

Indicates a lack of depth or thorough investigation.

laxity

Emphasizes a lack of strictness or severity.

inadequate scrutiny

Focuses on the insufficient examination or investigation.

casual approach

Highlights a relaxed and informal manner, lacking the necessary seriousness.

absence of stringency

Emphasizes a lack of strict requirements or conditions.

FAQs

How can I use "lack of rigour" in a sentence?

You can use "lack of rigour" to describe the absence of thoroughness or precision in a process, analysis, or argument. For example, "The investigation suffered from a "lack of rigour" in its methodology".

What's a good alternative to "lack of rigour"?

Alternatives include "absence of thoroughness", "lack of precision", or "deficiency in diligence", depending on the specific aspect you want to emphasize.

Is it better to say "lack of rigour" or "lack of rigor"?

"Lack of rigour" is the British English spelling, while "lack of rigor" is the American English spelling. Both are correct, but consistency within your document is key.

What does "lack of rigour" imply?

It implies that a process or analysis was not conducted with sufficient care, attention to detail, or methodological soundness, potentially leading to unreliable or invalid results.