100 Academic Words & What They Mean in Plain English

100 Academic Words & What They Mean in Plain English

No. Item Definition
1. abstract Concerned with ideas rather than physical things.
2. adapt Change to suit new conditions.
3. ambiguity Uncertainty caused by having more than one meaning.
4. analysis Careful study of something and its parts.
5. approach A way of dealing with something.
6. arbitrary Chosen without a clear reason or rule.
7. argument Reasons offered to support a claim.
8. assert State something firmly as true.
9. assume Accept something as true without proof.
10. attribute A quality or feature of something.
11. bias An influence that unfairly favors one outcome.
12. causation One thing bringing about another.
13. clarify Make something easier to understand.
14. classify Arrange things into groups with shared features.
15. compare Examine how things are alike or different.
16. concept A general idea about something.
17. consistent Staying the same or agreeing throughout.
18. constitute Make up or form something.
19. context The circumstances that help explain something.
20. contrast Show how things differ.
21. correlation A relationship in how two things change.
22. data Facts or measurements collected for study.
23. define State exactly what something means.
24. demonstrate Show clearly through evidence or examples.
25. derive Obtain something from a particular source.
26. dimension An aspect of something being considered.
27. discourse Written or spoken discussion of a subject.
28. discrete Separate and distinct from other things.
29. distinguish Recognize or explain differences between things.
30. diverse Including many different kinds.
31. domain A particular area of knowledge or activity.
32. empirical Based on observation or experience.
33. enhance Improve the quality or strength of something.
34. equivalent Equal in value, meaning, or function.
35. estimate Make an informed guess about an amount.
36. evaluate Judge the quality, importance, or value of something.
37. evidence Information that supports a claim or conclusion.
38. explicit Stated clearly and directly.
39. facilitate Make something easier to do.
40. factor Something that helps produce a result.
41. fluctuate Rise and fall or change irregularly.
42. formulate Develop and express an idea or plan.
43. framework A basic structure for organizing ideas.
44. function The purpose or role of something.
45. hypothesis A proposed explanation that can be tested.
46. identify Recognize and name something.
47. illustrate Explain or show through examples.
48. implicit Suggested but not directly stated.
49. imply Suggest something without stating it directly.
50. indicate Point to or show something.
51. infer Reach a conclusion using evidence and reasoning.
52. inherent Existing as a basic part of something.
53. inhibit Slow down or prevent something.
54. integrate Bring parts together into a whole.
55. interpret Explain what something means.
56. justify Give good reasons for something.
57. limitation Something that restricts reach, accuracy, or usefulness.
58. measure Find the size, amount, or degree of something.
59. mechanism The process through which something happens.
60. methodology The methods and reasoning used in research.
61. modify Change something, usually in a limited way.
62. objective A specific goal to be achieved.
63. observe Watch or notice something carefully.
64. outcome The result of an action or process.
65. parameter A value that defines a system or model.
66. pattern A repeated or recognizable arrangement.
67. perspective A particular way of viewing something.
68. phenomenon Something that happens and can be observed.
69. population The entire group a study concerns.
70. precise Exact and clearly stated.
71. predict Say what is likely to happen.
72. premise An idea used as the starting point for reasoning.
73. principle A basic rule, belief, or truth.
74. process A series of steps or changes.
75. qualitative Describing qualities rather than measuring amounts.
76. quantitative Using numbers to measure or describe something.
77. random Chosen or occurring by chance.
78. refute Show that a claim is wrong.
79. relevant Directly connected to the matter being discussed.
80. reliable Able to be trusted for consistent results.
81. replicate Repeat a study to check its results.
82. robust Remaining strong or dependable under different conditions.
83. sample A smaller group studied to understand a larger one.
84. scope The range of what something covers.
85. sequence The order in which things occur.
86. significant Important or large enough to matter.
87. structure The way parts are arranged or connected.
88. subjective Based on personal feelings or opinions.
89. substantiate Support a claim with facts or evidence.
90. summarize State the main points briefly.
91. synthesize Combine different ideas into a connected whole.
92. tentative Not yet certain or finally decided.
93. theory An organized explanation of how something works.
94. thesis The main claim a writer seeks to support.
95. transition A change from one state to another.
96. trend A general direction of change.
97. valid Sound, reasonable, or supported by evidence.
98. variable Something that can change or take different values.
99. verify Check that something is true or accurate.
100. yield Produce a result or amount.