Sentence structure question

I see this a lot in written English, and I've been telling people for years that it's incorrect. I'm certain that it is, but it's so common (even in technical papers I've read) that I can't help but wonder if I'm the one who's wrong. :-/

Example: The framework is to characterize the ways in which participants...

I feel like there needs to be a verb in there, like is intended to characterize or is to be used to characterize. Right?

More examples: The study is to determine the extent to which...
The survey is to uncover participants' thoughts about...

My flist collectively knows everything, so if someone could comment to explain precisely why that is incorrect, I would appreciate it. I'd like to be able to say something stronger than "it doesn't sound right" next time I run across it. Which I'm sure I will. :-P

Edit: Several people have pointed out that "is to __" is grammatically correct and implies that something will or must be done. I want to point out that these examples are from technical papers, and in this context that is not the intention of the writer. In general, scientists don't speak in such terms about their instruments and their work, because you can't be completely certain about what and how you're measuring. You can be fairly certain, but not 100%, and so the practice is to hedge your language accordingly.

Hee!

Gacked from bekkio:

Emma Grant
interj. phrase suggesting that someone flirt with something.
"Homie - Emma Grant!"

Taken from the randomly generated Infinite Teen Slang Dictionary.
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