Use these words to describe how research reaches a conclusion: a hypothesis to test, an analysis of data, and empirical evidence from observation.
Words for evidence and reasoning
Not "Her empirical was that feedback timing affects motivation." — say "Her hypothesis was that feedback timing affects motivation.". Empirical describes evidence; the claim you test is a hypothesis.
Try it: Mateo: The tutor wrote 'opinion' next to my second paragraph. Hiroshi: She wants ___ support: numbers from the survey, not what you feel. Choose the word for the blank. (empirical / inherent / paradigm) Answer: empirical — Empirical support comes from data or observation, which is what the tutor is asking for.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
empirical
/ɛmˈpɪrɪkəl/
The article makes an empirical argument based on three years of survey data.
analysis
/əˈnæləsɪs/
The committee asked for a fuller analysis of the survey data before publication.
hypothesis
/haɪˈpɑθəsɪs/
The team tested the original hypothesis using a much larger sample.
Words for models and built-in qualities
Use paradigm for the main model of thinking in a field, paradigm shift when that model changes, and inherent for a quality something naturally has.
Try it: Hiroshi: Can we remove every bias from a small online survey? Mateo: Not completely. Some bias is ___ in that kind of sample. Choose the word for the blank. (inherent / empirical / a paradigm) Answer: inherent — A quality that naturally belongs to something and cannot be fully removed is inherent in it.
Try it: Mateo: Our draft says quiet rooms help memory, but we haven't tested it. Hiroshi: Then call it ___, not a result. Choose the word for the blank. (a hypothesis / an analysis / a paradigm) Answer: a hypothesis — An idea you have not tested yet is a hypothesis, not a result.
Word
Pronunciation
Example
paradigm
/ˈpærəˌdaɪm/
The study challenged the dominant paradigm in urban planning.
paradigm shift
/ˈpærəˌdaɪm ʃɪft/
The findings represented a genuine paradigm shift rather than a minor correction.
inherent
/ɪnˈhɪrənt/
The judge noted the inherent uncertainty in eyewitness evidence.