meager data

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "meager data" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe a situation where the amount of data available is insufficient or lacking in quantity. Example: "The research findings were inconclusive due to the meager data collected during the study."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

5 human-written examples

But the small workload of most relievers, 60 or 70 innings, is a meager data set that encourages random fluctuations.

The New York Times - Sports

"Much depends on where the oil goes," said Dr. Short, who added that there was meager data on how such plumes behaved.

The New York Times

On the theory that some numbers are better than no numbers, I present the meager data I was able to dredge up.

Science Magazine

There is meager data regarding the epidemiology of T. gondii infection in cats in the study area.

BMC Veterinary Research

In Uttar Pradesh there is meager data for spending on health care in general and neonates in particular.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

51 human-written examples

However, as appealing as the hypothesis that Caerostris evolved such extraordinary silk under natural selection for the capture of giant prey might be, the meager preliminary data that exist on Caerostris prey only found abundant smaller aquatic insects in their webs [20].

Plosone

One of the reasons the data is meager is because road rage "is not something that there's standardized reporting for.

Huffington Post

Available laboratory data are meager, but mild thrombocytopenia has been reported for some patients with Zika fever (10 ), but not for others (6, 8 ).

Emerging Infectious Diseases

This improved state of affairs derives from the availability, even if meager, of molecular sequence data for Liberiictis kuhni, Rhynchogale melleri and several species of Herpestes, species for which virtually no phylogenetic information was available in 1996.

BMC Biology

Nationally, the perspective is clouded, since the federal government has required colleges to report their crime numbers to the Department of Education only since 1999, resulting in a trail of data almost too meager to consider.

The New York Times

The debate on Tuesday night between Vice President Al Gore and Gov. George W. Bush was watched by at least 46.6 million people, a fairly meager audience for a presidential debate, data from Nielsen Media Research shows.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "meager data", clearly state the implications of the limited data on your analysis or conclusions. For example, acknowledge potential limitations or uncertainties due to the small sample size.

Common error

Avoid making strong claims or generalizations based on "meager data". Instead, frame your findings as preliminary or tentative, emphasizing the need for further research with more comprehensive data.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "meager data" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "meager" modifies the noun "data". It describes the quantity or extent of data available. Ludwig AI confirms its correct usage in various contexts.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

55%

News & Media

35%

Formal & Business

10%

Less common in

Academia

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "meager data" is a grammatically correct and usable expression to describe a limited amount of information, as confirmed by Ludwig. It is most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating its suitability for formal writing where acknowledging limitations is important. When using this phrase, it's crucial to temper conclusions and recognize the need for further research. Consider using alternatives like "scant data" or "limited data" to convey a similar meaning.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scant data

Replaces "meager" with "scant", implying a similarly small and insufficient amount of data.

limited data

Substitutes "meager" with "limited", highlighting the restricted quantity of data available.

sparse data

Replaces "meager" with "sparse", suggesting that the data points are thinly distributed or infrequent.

insufficient data

Replaces "meager" with "insufficient", directly stating that the data is inadequate for a particular purpose.

paltry data

Uses "paltry" instead of "meager", emphasizing the insignificance or triviality of the data.

thin data

Employs "thin" to describe the data, suggesting a lack of depth or substance.

exiguous data

Replaces "meager" with "exiguous", a more formal term indicating a very small amount.

scanty data

Uses "scanty" to describe the data, similar to "scant" but with a slightly different nuance.

deficient data

Replaces "meager" with "deficient", highlighting the lack or incompleteness of the data.

minimal data

Substitutes "meager" with "minimal", indicating the smallest possible amount of data.

FAQs

How can I use "meager data" in a sentence?

You can use "meager data" to describe situations where there is a limited amount of information available. For example, "The study's conclusions are limited due to the "meager data" collected."

What is a good alternative to "meager data"?

Alternatives to "meager data" include "scant data", "limited data", or "insufficient data". The best choice depends on the specific context and the nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to use "meager data" in formal writing?

Yes, "meager data" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in scientific or academic contexts where it's important to acknowledge limitations in the available data. However, in some business contexts, less technical terms like "limited data" might be preferred.

What does "meager data" imply about the reliability of results?

"Meager data" typically implies that the reliability of any conclusions drawn from the data is questionable. It suggests that more data is needed to increase the confidence in the findings and to reduce the risk of errors or biases.