preliminary data

USAGE SUMMARY

"preliminary data" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it to describe data that is collected early on in a research project before a more thorough evaluation is possible. For example, "The researchers released their preliminary data, which indicates a positive trend."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

56 human-written examples

Preliminary data will be available next year, Dr. Maynard said.

The New York Times

He says he hopes to have preliminary data from at least eight hospitals in January.

The New York Times

Preliminary data from patients followed for 24 weeks showed no change in the pattern, Northstar said.

The New York Times

He said preliminary data showed the 10pm restriction had reduced assaults in regional NSW.

The Guardian

As a result, the preliminary data from some states has surprised certain experts.

The New York Times

According to the preliminary data, 63percentt of students who had taken the exam failed.

The New York Times

This article was amended on 29 November 2012 to remove preliminary data from an unpublished study.

The Guardian

The UK economy also grew by 0.2%, according to preliminary data issued last month.

The Guardian - Business

Preliminary data for the fourth quarter show just 19 security-related deals.

The New York Times

Preliminary data suggests significant reductions in diarrhoea and dehydration in children under five.

The Guardian

First-quarter profit was about 26 cents a share, based on preliminary data, the company said.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When presenting "preliminary data", clearly state the limitations of the data set and acknowledge that further analysis or data collection may be needed.

Common error

Avoid drawing definitive conclusions from "preliminary data". Instead, present it as indicative or suggestive, highlighting potential trends or areas for further investigation.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "preliminary data" functions primarily as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to early or initial information that has been gathered but not fully analyzed, as shown in Ludwig's examples.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

56%

News & Media

38%

Formal & Business

6%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "preliminary data" is a grammatically sound and very common noun phrase used to describe initial findings or observations. As Ludwig AI confirms, it’s widely employed in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using "preliminary data", it's crucial to acknowledge the data's limitations and avoid drawing overly strong conclusions. Alternatives such as "initial findings" or "early results" may be appropriate depending on the specific context. Remember that decisions ideally should be based on validated, final data whenever possible.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

preliminary results

A direct synonym, simply replacing "data" with "results".

preliminary observations

A direct synonym, simply replacing "data" with "observations".

initial findings

Emphasizes the starting point of the data.

early data

Shortened version focusing on the 'early' aspect.

early results

Highlights the temporal aspect of the data being early in the process.

preliminary figures

Another way to refer to the numerical aspect of the data.

initial data set

Specifies that the data is a set, implying a collection.

first-stage data

Emphasizes the stage of the data collection process.

early statistics

Highlights the statistical nature of the early data.

initial observations

Focuses on the act of observing to collect data.

FAQs

How should I present "preliminary data" in a research paper?

Clearly label the data as preliminary and discuss its limitations. Avoid making strong claims based solely on this data. Frame it as a starting point for further research.

What's the difference between "preliminary data" and final data?

"Preliminary data" is gathered in the early stages of a study and may be incomplete or unverified. Final data has undergone thorough analysis and validation.

What can I say instead of "preliminary data"?

You can use alternatives like "initial findings", "early results", or "preliminary results" depending on the context.

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

While "preliminary data" can inform initial decisions, it's crucial to consider its limitations and seek more comprehensive data before making critical or long-term choices. Decisions should ideally be based on validated, final data whenever possible.