Y07W40VC Theme Words — Science & ethics

The careful and systematic investigation of a subject in order to discover new facts or test ideas.

Word family: researcher (n.), research-based (adj.)

Example: Recent research into the ethical implications of genetic technology has raised important questions for policymakers.

Synonyms: investigation, inquiry, study

Collocations: conduct research, research findings, independent research

Relating to moral principles and standards of right and wrong, especially in professional or scientific contexts.

Word Breakdown: -ical (suffix forming adjectives meaning ‘relating to’ or ‘of the nature of’)

Word family: ethics (n.), ethically (adv.), unethical (adj.)

Example: The committee raised several ethical concerns about the study before approving the research proposal.

Synonyms: moral, principled, responsible

Collocations: ethical considerations, ethical standards, raise ethical questions

A conclusion that can be drawn from something even though it is not stated directly, or the possible effect of an action.

Word family: imply (v.), implicit (adj.)

Example: The researchers discussed the potential implications of their findings for future medical practice.

Synonyms: consequence, suggestion, inference

Collocations: wider implications, ethical implications, implication of

To reach a decision or judgement based on evidence or reasoning, or to bring something to an end.

Word family: conclusion (n.), conclusive (adj.)

Example: After reviewing all the available data, the researchers concluded that the intervention had been effective.

Synonyms: determine, infer, deduce

Collocations: conclude that, conclude from, reach a conclusion

To find out or establish the facts about something, or to decide on a course of action.

Word family: determination (n.), determined (adj.)

Example: The investigation aimed to determine whether the new method was more effective than the previous approach.

Synonyms: establish, find out, decide

Collocations: determine the cause, determine whether, determine the outcome

To prove or show something definitively, or to set up or create something on a firm basis.

Word family: establishment (n.), established (adj.)

Example: The study sought to establish a clear link between diet, sleep, and academic performance in adolescents.

Synonyms: prove, confirm, demonstrate

Collocations: establish a link, establish credibility, establish the facts

To reach a conclusion based on evidence or reasoning rather than from explicit information.

Word family: inference (n.), inferential (adj.)

Example: From the pattern in the data, the analyst was able to infer that demand had peaked during winter months.

Synonyms: deduce, conclude, work out

Collocations: infer from, infer that, reasonable to infer

To arrive at a conclusion by reasoning from general principles or from evidence.

Word Breakdown: de- (prefix meaning ‘from’ or ‘down from’, here indicating reasoning from a source)

Word family: deduction (n.), deductive (adj.)

Example: From the available evidence, the detective was able to deduce the sequence of events with remarkable accuracy.

Synonyms: infer, conclude, reason

Collocations: deduce from, deduce that, logically deduce

Used to introduce a final summary or closing statement that draws together the main points of an argument.

Example: In conclusion, the evidence strongly suggests that early intervention programmes have a significant impact on long-term educational outcomes.

Synonyms: to conclude, finally, to summarise

Collocations: in conclusion, in conclusion therefore, in conclusion it can be seen that