A dependent variable is a factor that is hypothesised to depdent upon some other variable(s), and is measured in an experimental study to test the hypothesis.
Tooltip Categories: Site glossary
Main glossary
controlled variable
A controlled variable is a factor that is held constant across different conditions/across time in an experimental study.
validity
ORCID
ORCID (Open Researcher and Contributor ID) is a unique identifier assigned to a researcher. Many journals now require authors to have an ORCID. A researcher will have the same ORCID even if different journals style their name differently (or their name changes) and different researchers with the same name will have different ORCIDs.
G.C.S.E.
G.C.S.E. stands for General Certificate of Secondary Education – and is the normal examination taken by c.16 year old students at the end of compulsory secondary school in England. Students normally take GCSE examinations In English, Mathematics and Science/sciences as well as several other subjects.
'just forces' conjecture
The 'just forces' conjecture is an alternative conception that a student judges some forms of chemical bonding (e.g., in metallic lattices) to be 'just forces' but not bonding.
This is part of the very common 'molecular' alternative conceptual framework for ionic bonding.
Read about the molecular framework for ionic bonding
Read about the 'just forces' conjecture
valency conjecture
The valency conjecture is an alternative conception that in an ionic compound each ion can only be (e.g., that Na+ can only be bonded to one other ion).
This is part of the very common 'molecular' alternative conceptual framework for ionic bonding.
Read about the molecular framework for ionic bonding
Read about the valency conjecture
jigsaw learning
Jigsaw learning is a pedagogic technique which uses group work. The technique involves learners working in two different groupings during the process. Jigsaw learning can be understood as an ;active learning' technique and an example of constructivist pedagogy. it involves elements of peer-tutoring.
reader generalisation
The process of a reader of a study making a judgement about whether the context of that study is sufficiently similar to a different context (perhaps the reader's own professional context) for the findings to be likely to apply to the other context. This process relies on sufficient information ('thick description') being provided in the research report.
action research
Action research is an approach to research, often considered a methodology, where researchers enquire into their own attempts to develop and improve their professional practice. Commonly used by teachers, nurses, etc.
slices of data
In many studies several different 'slices' of data are needed to answer the research questions. This may be several types of data, or the same type of data collected at different times or places, etc.
rationalist
someone who takes a position that knowledge is accessible directly by applying reason (often opposed to empiricists who see experience as the main source for knowledge)