Study · Academic vocabularyModule 03

Research and Evidence

Level B1–B2

Learning goals

  • In this module, you will learn vocabulary used to describe research methods, data and findings. You will practise distinguishing evidence from conclusions, describing patterns, and choosing words that express research results carefully.

Step 1 — Read and discover

Read the text. Then answer the three questions below.

What Can a Study Tell Us?

Researchers investigate questions by planning a method and collecting data. They may ask participants to complete a survey, or they may take a sample from a larger group. They then measure relevant features and analyse the information to look for a pattern or trend.

The evidence may indicate that two things are connected. For example, a study might find a significant correlation between time spent outdoors and reported mood. Such a result may suggest a relationship, but it does not automatically show that one thing causes the other. Researchers must compare their results with other studies and consider whether their methods were reliable and their measures valid.

After examining the results, researchers conclude what the evidence supports. They also describe each limitation, such as a small sample or a short study period. Good research does not claim more than the data can show. Instead, it explains what was found, how strong the evidence is, and what further questions should be investigated.

Check your understanding

1. What is the main idea of the passage?Try again

1. What is the main idea of the passage?

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2. What does a correlation between two things show?Try again

2. What does a correlation between two things show?

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3. Why do researchers describe limitations?Try again

3. Why do researchers describe limitations?

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Step 2 — Explore the vocabulary

Use the vocabulary cards to study each word's meaning, example, collocations and word family. Then complete the activities below.

research

noun/verbB1–B2

the careful study of a subject to discover new information or understand it better

“The research examined how sleep affects memory.”

  • conduct research
  • research findings
  • research project

Word family: researcher

Research is usually uncountable when it means academic study: conduct research, not a research.

investigate

verbB1–B2

to try to discover facts about something by examining it carefully

“The team investigated the reasons for the change in results.”

  • investigate a problem
  • investigate the causes
  • investigate a claim

Word family: investigation, investigator

Investigate often focuses on finding out why something happened.

evidence

nounB2

facts or information that help show whether something is true

“The researchers collected evidence from several different sources.”

  • strong evidence
  • evidence suggests
  • collect evidence

Word family: evident, evidently

Evidence is normally uncountable in academic English; use a piece of evidence, not an evidence.

data

nounB2

facts or measurements collected for study or analysis

“The data show a steady change over the six-month period.”

  • collect data
  • analyse data
  • data show

Word family: datum

Data is commonly used with plural or singular agreement depending on context and style; many modern contexts use it as a mass noun.

method

nounB1–B2

a particular way of doing something

“The researchers used the same method with both groups.”

  • research method
  • method of analysis
  • use a method

Word family: methodical, methodically

A method is a specific way of carrying out a task.

sample

noun/verbB1–B2

a small group or amount chosen to represent a larger group or whole

“The study included a sample of 300 adults.”

  • sample size
  • random sample
  • representative sample

Word family: sampling

Researchers use samples when studying an entire population is difficult.

participant

nounB1–B2

a person who takes part in an activity or study

“Each participant answered the same set of questions.”

  • study participant
  • participant group
  • recruit participants

Word family: participate, participation, participatory

A participant takes part; a researcher organises or studies the research.

measure

verb/nounB1–B2

to find the size, amount or level of something using a system or tool

“The survey measured how often people read for pleasure.”

  • measure change
  • measure progress
  • accurately measure

Word family: measurement, measurable

Measure can also be a noun meaning an action taken to achieve a purpose.

analyse / analyze

verbB2

to examine information carefully to understand it

“The team analysed the data before drawing conclusions.”

  • analyse data
  • analyse results
  • analyse a pattern

Word family: analysis, analytical, analytically

Analyse is British spelling; analyze is American spelling.

compare

verbB1–B2

to examine two or more things to identify similarities or differences

“The report compared the results from two age groups.”

  • compare results
  • compare with
  • compare differences

Word family: comparison, comparable, comparative

Compare A with B is common when examining similarities and differences.

pattern

nounB1–B2

a repeated or recognisable way in which something happens or is arranged

“The researchers noticed a pattern in the participants' responses.”

  • identify a pattern
  • clear pattern
  • pattern of behaviour

Word family: patterned

In research, a pattern may suggest a relationship, but it does not by itself prove a cause.

trend

nounB2

a general direction in which something changes or develops

“The data showed a downward trend in daily screen time.”

  • upward trend
  • downward trend
  • long-term trend

Word family: trending

A trend describes the general direction, not necessarily every individual change.

indicate

verbB2

to show or suggest that something is true or likely

“The results indicate that the new method may be useful.”

  • results indicate
  • data indicate
  • indicate a difference

Word family: indication, indicative

Indicate is common when describing what data or results suggest.

suggest

verbB1–B2

to express an idea or show that something may be true

“The findings suggest a link between sleep and concentration.”

  • findings suggest
  • suggest a link
  • suggest that

Word family: suggestion, suggestive

In academic writing, suggest is often more cautious than prove.

significant

adjectiveB1–B2

important, noticeable or large enough to matter

“The study found a significant difference between the two groups.”

  • significant difference
  • significant result
  • statistically significant

Word family: significance, significantly

Statistically significant has a specific technical meaning and does not simply mean large.

reliable

adjectiveB2

likely to be correct or to give the same good result when repeated

“The researchers checked whether the measuring tool was reliable.”

  • reliable source
  • reliable method
  • reliable results

Word family: rely, reliability, reliably

Reliable describes consistency or trustworthiness; valid asks whether a method measures what it should.

valid

adjectiveB2

based on sound reasons or measuring what it is intended to measure

“The researchers checked whether the questions were valid for the study.”

  • valid result
  • valid conclusion
  • valid measurement

Word family: validity, validate, validly

In research, validity concerns whether a method or conclusion is well-founded or measures the intended thing.

conclude

verbB1–B2

to decide or state something after considering information

“The authors concluded that more research was needed.”

  • conclude that
  • draw a conclusion
  • conclude a study

Word family: conclusion, conclusive, conclusively

Common pattern: conclude that + clause; draw a conclusion from evidence.

limitation

nounB2

something that restricts what can be done or what can be learned from a study

“A small sample size was one limitation of the study.”

  • main limitation
  • study limitation
  • limitations of the research

Word family: limit, limited, limiting

Academic papers often explain limitations to show what their findings cannot establish.

correlation

nounB2

a relationship in which two things change or occur together

“The study found a correlation between exercise and reported mood.”

  • strong correlation
  • correlation between
  • positive correlation

Word family: correlate, correlated

Correlation does not by itself prove that one thing causes the other.

Step 3 — Meaning in context

Choose the best answer, then check your choices.

1. The researchers investigated the reasons for the change.Try again

1. The researchers investigated the reasons for the change.

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2. The data indicate a downward trend.Try again

2. The data indicate a downward trend.

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3. The team used a reliable measuring tool.Try again

3. The team used a reliable measuring tool.

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4. The authors discussed a limitation of the study.Try again

4. The authors discussed a limitation of the study.

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5. The study found a correlation between exercise and mood.Try again

5. The study found a correlation between exercise and mood.

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Step 4 — Complete the sentences

Type the missing word or phrase. Legitimate spelling variants and harmless capitalisation differences are accepted.

1.Researchers collect to answer their questions.Try again✓

2.A small group chosen to represent a larger population is a .Try again✓

3.The team used a clear to collect information from all participants.Try again✓

4.Researchers the results before drawing conclusions.Try again✓

5.The findings that sleep may be linked to concentration.Try again✓

6.The authors that further research was needed.Try again✓

7.A measuring tool that gives consistent results is .Try again✓

8.A relationship between two variables is called a .Try again✓

Step 5 — Word families

Choose the correct form of the word in brackets.

1. The researchers carried out a detailed ______ of the results. (ANALYSE)Try again

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2. The team checked the ______ of the measuring tool. (RELY)Try again

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3. The study has one important ______: its sample was small. (LIMIT)Try again

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4. The authors reached a cautious ______ based on the evidence. (CONCLUDE)Try again

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5. The researchers tested the ______ of the questions before using them. (VALID)Try again

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Step 6 — Collocations

Match each beginning with the most natural ending.

1. collectTry again

1. ✓

2. drawTry again

2. ✓

3. reliableTry again

3. ✓

4. significantTry again

4. ✓

5. sampleTry again

5. ✓

Step 7 — Quick review

Choose the best answer for each question.

1. Researchers ______ a question when they examine it carefully to discover facts.Try again

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2. The results ______ that the new method may be useful.Try again

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3. A study's ______ explains something that restricts what its results can show.Try again

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4. The researchers ______ the results from two groups.Try again

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5. A study may find a correlation, but this does not automatically prove ______.Try again

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