poorly researched

USAGE SUMMARY

"poorly researched" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when referring to something that has been researched in an inadequate or incomplete manner. For example, "The article was poorly researched and it failed to address the key points of the argument."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Academia

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

This article was also poorly researched.

The New York Times

We also see otherwise reputable publications carrying poorly researched articles.

The Guardian - Opinion

"The grand old theories we inherited were fragile and poorly researched.

The New York Times - Arts

The rumors are rampant that this book was poorly written and poorly researched.

The New York Times - Arts

There is a very good reason why CM is far more poorly researched than OM: money.

The Guardian

I am disappointed to see something so poorly researched published by such a reputable school.

Harvard University

She concluded: "The episode of Fish Fight which covered fisheries on the Southern Ocean was poorly researched and misleading.

The Guardian

The article "Proposal for Jobs and Homes Fought" (April 15) was a clear case of poorly researched, slanted journalism.

The New York Times

I would therefore like to set the record straight with regard to Philip Burrowes' one-sided, poorly researched article.

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

What IS represented here is one physician's uninformed, poorly researched biased opinion, complete with passive aggressive "snarky" paragraph headers.

Harvard University

As a practicing E.R. physician, however, I can't help but feel that this article was poorly researched and sensationalized.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Ensure you have a strong understanding of research principles and methodologies before labelling work as "poorly researched."

Common error

Avoid using "poorly researched" as a generic criticism. Provide concrete evidence to support your claim, such as identifying specific gaps in the research or methodological flaws.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "poorly researched" functions as an adjective modifying a noun, indicating that the subject (e.g., article, study, book) has not been adequately or properly researched. This is supported by Ludwig and its real-world examples. The phrase is used to express a negative evaluation of the quality of research conducted.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

44%

Academia

24%

Science

20%

Less common in

Wiki

7%

Formal & Business

5%

Unknown

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "poorly researched" is used to describe something that has not been adequately or thoroughly investigated, as confirmed by Ludwig. It functions as an adjective, conveying criticism regarding the quality of research. Common contexts for this phrase include news, academic, and scientific domains. Ludwig's examples highlight its use in critiquing articles, books, and studies. While grammatically correct and very common, it's important to use "poorly researched" judiciously, supporting your assessment with specific evidence to avoid vagueness. Related phrases include "inadequately researched" and "insufficiently researched", offering alternative ways to express a similar idea.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

inadequately researched

Replaces "poorly" with "inadequately", suggesting a deficiency in the research process.

insufficiently researched

Substitutes "poorly" with "insufficiently", highlighting the lack of adequate research.

badly researched

Uses "badly" instead of "poorly", indicating a low quality of research.

superficially researched

Indicates that the research only scratched the surface and lacked depth.

cursorily investigated

Implies a hasty and not thorough investigation.

hastily researched

Suggests the research was conducted too quickly, leading to oversights.

sketchily investigated

Suggests the investigation was carried out in a rough and incomplete manner.

negligently researched

Implies a lack of due care and attention in conducting the research.

shallowly researched

Indicates a lack of depth and thoroughness in the research.

lacking in thorough research

Emphasizes the absence of comprehensive research efforts.

FAQs

How can I use "poorly researched" in a sentence?

You can use "poorly researched" to describe articles, books, or studies that lack adequate investigation. For example, "The article was "poorly researched" and relied on anecdotal evidence."

What are some alternatives to saying "poorly researched"?

Alternatives include "inadequately researched", "insufficiently researched", or "badly researched" depending on the specific context and nuance you want to convey.

Is it appropriate to describe a scientific study as "poorly researched"?

Yes, if you can provide specific reasons for your assessment, such as methodological flaws, small sample sizes, or biased data. However, ensure your criticism is constructive and supported by evidence.

What makes research "poorly researched"?

Research can be considered "poorly researched" if it lacks thorough investigation, relies on unreliable sources, uses flawed methodologies, or fails to address relevant aspects of the topic.