Evidence-based
What it means
Grounded in relevant, systematically examined research or data.
Reach for it when describing a decision whose evidence and method can be inspected
The council adopted an evidence-based approach to road safety.
Words to choose between 7
| playful | |
|---|---|
| everyday | |
| professional |
|
| formal |
-
playful
backed by the numbers
Fits when informal explanation of quantitative support fits
Careful Numbers alone can mislead and the phrase excludes qualitative evidence.
-
everyday
Fits when robust repeated results justify confidence
Careful Proven overstates probabilistic evidence and can suggest certainty.
-
professional
best-evidence
Fits when the strongest available evidence is deliberately prioritized
Careful Best available does not mean good, complete, or universally applicable.
-
professional
data-driven
Fits when measured data strongly directs action
Careful Data-driven can ignore study quality, values, and unmeasured harms.
-
professional
research-informed
Fits when research guides judgment alongside context and experience
Careful Research-informed is weaker and permits decisions that depart from the evidence.
-
formal
empirical
Fits when observation or experiment rather than theory grounds the claim
Careful Empirical evidence can be weak, irrelevant, or poorly interpreted.
-
formal
scientifically supported
Fits when a body of valid research supports the conclusion
Careful One preliminary study cannot justify this stronger wording.
Opposites 4
- unsupported
- anecdotal
- speculative
- evidence-free
Common phrases 3
-
evidence-based practice
Evidence-based practice combines research with expertise and patient values.
-
evidence-based policy
The evidence-based policy includes a plan to test its actual effects.
-
evidence-based approach
An evidence-based approach states what evidence could change the decision.
Usage notes
Keep in mind
Evidence-based does not mean value-free or certain; source quality, relevance, and local context still matter.
Definitions and examples are written for this site. How words are chosen Updated