scarcity of evidence

USAGE SUMMARY

'scarcity of evidence' is a perfectly correct and usable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to a lack of evidence to support a particular point of view or to prove something. For example, "Despite intense research, there has been a scarcity of evidence to support the hypothesis."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

39 human-written examples

& impeachment is not a scarcity of evidence but a mountainous superfluity of it.... Once the bombshells harmed the President's cause.

The New Yorker

Progress is hampered by a scarcity of evidence on what works, creating uncertainty about how to design and deliver interventions so as to mitigate disadvantage.

The Lancet

Many people today take supplementary vitamins, despite a scarcity of evidence that they help anyone other than those suffering vitamin deficiencies to the point of being ill because of them.

The Washington Post

Family histories and childhoods are usually the dullest parts of biographies; Tolstoy's, in Bartlett's book, aren't, partly because the relative scarcity of evidence makes it easier for her to pick out telling details, but mostly because they help to put her subject's impregnable self-assurance in perspective.

The Guardian - Books

For much of its history, the hospital's staff treated conditions from pneumonia to gangrene and headaches with aggressive bloodletting, a practice that may have originated in ancient Egypt, and that persisted for millennia, despite the scarcity of evidence that it cured patients of disease.

The New Yorker

If Sapiens is at its best in the early chapters, when the scarcity of evidence gives full scope to Harari's audacious imagination and gift for exposition, it remains consistently fresh and lively as it advances into the historical era, which it interprets in terms of three potentially universal orders – money, empire and religion.

The Guardian - Books

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

21 human-written examples

However, due to the scarcity of evidence-based and comparative data, there is still no consensus on many therapeutic issues.

Duke University

Further studies are urgently needed to demonstrate effective cognition-enhancing therapies in VCIND given the scarcity of evidence-based treatment options.

Duke University

Despite a scarcity of evidence-based data available to guide the clinician, DFI with evidence of osteomyelitis has historically been managed with prolonged antibiotic courses (≥6 weeks) versus shorter therapeutic courses (14 days) for DFI limited to soft tissue structures or superficial wounds (1, 2).

Diabetes Care

We adapted existing methods for producing evidence-based guidelines to deal with the short time frame and the scarcity of direct evidence (see Section 2.12) [ 10, 13– 17].

BioMed Research International

Despite the scarcity of documentary evidence, Melville scholars have obsessively pursued the minutiae of his life.

The New York Times - Books

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When discussing research findings, clearly state the "scarcity of evidence" and suggest areas for future investigation to address this gap.

Common error

Avoid drawing firm conclusions when there is a "scarcity of evidence". Instead, frame statements as tentative or preliminary, emphasizing the need for further research.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "scarcity of evidence" primarily functions as a noun phrase, typically serving as the subject or object of a sentence. Ludwig AI confirms that the phrase is correct and usable, typically indicating a lack of sufficient proof or supporting data.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

70%

News & Media

30%

Formal & Business

0%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "scarcity of evidence" is a grammatically sound noun phrase used to describe situations where proof or supporting data is lacking. According to Ludwig AI, the expression is correct and readily usable. It's most commonly found in scientific and news contexts, indicating a formal register. When writing, it's best to use the phrase to accurately reflect the limitations of available data, avoid overstating conclusions, and highlight areas needing further research. Related phrases include "lack of substantiation" and "paucity of data", which can be used as alternatives depending on the specific nuance desired.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

lack of substantiation

Changes the focus to the action of providing support, indicating that such support is absent.

paucity of data

Replaces "evidence" with "data" and "scarcity" with "paucity", both indicating a small quantity, particularly in research contexts.

limited proof

Uses a more direct and simple expression, emphasizing the limited nature of the available proof.

thin evidence base

Emphasizes that the foundation of evidence is weak or insufficient.

inadequate documentation

Focuses on the lack of proper records or support through documents.

absence of confirmation

Highlights the lack of verification or validation for a claim or hypothesis.

unproven assertion

Shifts the focus to a statement that hasn't been validated or supported by evidence.

lack of empirical support

Specifically refers to the absence of support from observational or experimental data.

meager evidentiary support

Uses "meager" to describe how scant the supporting evidence is.

want of verification

Emphasizes the deficiency in confirming the validity of something.

FAQs

How can I use "scarcity of evidence" in a sentence?

You can use "scarcity of evidence" to describe situations where there isn't enough proof or data to support a claim or hypothesis. For example, "Due to the "scarcity of evidence", the link between these two factors remains unclear."

What are some alternatives to "scarcity of evidence"?

Some alternatives include "lack of substantiation", "paucity of data", or "limited proof". Each of these alternatives can be used to convey a similar meaning, depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "scarcity of evidence" in formal writing?

Yes, "scarcity of evidence" is suitable for formal writing, especially in academic and scientific contexts. It clearly communicates the lack of sufficient data or proof in a study or argument.

What's the difference between "scarcity of evidence" and "lack of evidence"?

While similar, "scarcity of evidence" implies that some evidence exists, but it's not enough to draw definitive conclusions. "Lack of evidence" suggests that there is virtually no evidence available.