the data were collected

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "the data were collected" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you are referring to a set of facts that have been gathered from different sources. For example, "The data were collected from a variety of sources, such as surveys and focus groups."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

59 human-written examples

The data were collected in 2006.

Stanford University

The data were collected prospectively.

American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology

When the data were collected, unemployment was at 6.1percentt.

The New York Times

The data were collected monthly over two years.

Ecological Informatics

The data were collected by means of questionnaires and interviews.

Tourism Management

The data were collected by using a set of questionnaire.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

The data were collected through documentation, questionnaire, observation, and test.

Procedia Engineering

The data were collected between 1998 and 2004.

Psychiatry Research: Neuroimaging

The data were collected by in depth semi-structured interviews.

Appetite

The data were collected through observation and interviews.

Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

The data were collected from 88 households.

Data in Brief

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing research methodology, clearly state when and how "the data were collected" to provide context and transparency.

Common error

Avoid ambiguity by specifying who collected the data. Instead of just saying "the data were collected", consider stating "the researchers collected the data" for clarity.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "the data were collected" functions as a passive construction indicating that data has been gathered. Ludwig AI validates that this phrase is grammatically correct and commonly used. It emphasizes the result of data collection rather than the actor.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

75%

News & Media

15%

Academia

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "the data were collected" is a grammatically sound and frequently used phrase across diverse fields, particularly in scientific, academic, and news contexts. Ludwig AI confirms its validity. While it effectively conveys that data has been acquired, specifying the data collector can often enhance clarity. Alternatives such as "data collection occurred" or specifying the actor (e.g., "researchers collected the data") can provide additional precision. When using the phrase, ensure you clarify the timeframe to give full context to your audience. The phrase's versatility makes it suitable for various forms of writing, yet maintaining clarity is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

data collection occurred

This alternative uses different vocabulary to emphasize the action of data collection.

the data gathering took place

Swaps "collected" for "gathering" and uses the phrase "took place".

data was obtained

This uses "obtained" which focuses on the retrieval aspect of data.

the information was gathered

Substitutes "data" with "information", offering a slight variation in terminology.

information was compiled

Replaces both the subject "data" and verb "collected", shifting the focus to compilation.

the survey data was acquired

Replaces the verb with "acquired", often used in technical contexts.

data acquisition was performed

This turns the collection of data into a noun phrase with an emphasis on the action being performed.

the evidence was assembled

Replaces "data" with "evidence", implying a more curated set of data.

facts were accumulated

Uses "facts" instead of "data" and "accumulated" instead of "collected".

the figures were reported

Changes the subject to "figures" emphasizing numerical data and uses "reported".

FAQs

How can I rephrase "the data were collected" to be more concise?

Consider using phrases like "data collection occurred", "data was obtained", or "information was gathered" for brevity.

Is it better to use active or passive voice when describing how data was gathered?

While "the data were collected" is grammatically correct, using the active voice (e.g., "researchers collected the data") can improve clarity and specify who performed the action.

What does "the data were collected anonymously" mean?

It signifies that "the data" was gathered without revealing the identity of the participants. This is often used in research to protect privacy.

How can I specify when "the data were collected"?

Provide a specific time frame, such as "the data were collected between 2020 and 2022" or "the data were collected during the summer of 2023".