Evidence-based
adj.thoughtful, capableprofessional
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.
Choose between these
7- playful
backed by the numbers
when informal explanation of quantitative support fits
not when Numbers alone can mislead and the phrase excludes qualitative evidence.
- everyday
when robust repeated results justify confidence
not when Proven overstates probabilistic evidence and can suggest certainty.
- professional
best-evidence
when the strongest available evidence is deliberately prioritized
not when Best available does not mean good, complete, or universally applicable.
- professional
data-driven
when measured data strongly directs action
not when Data-driven can ignore study quality, values, and unmeasured harms.
- professional
research-informed
when research guides judgment alongside context and experience
not when Research-informed is weaker and permits decisions that depart from the evidence.
- formal
empirical
when observation or experiment rather than theory grounds the claim
not when Empirical evidence can be weak, irrelevant, or poorly interpreted.
- formal
scientifically supported
when a body of valid research supports the conclusion
not when One preliminary study cannot justify this stronger wording.
Said against
4- unsupported
- anecdotal
- speculative
- evidence-free
It naturally appears in
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
Evidence-based does not mean value-free or certain; source quality, relevance, and local context still matter.