Science and Research

Science and Research Vocabulary: Word List and Examples Learn B2-level vocabulary for discussing the scientific method, academic research, and discoveries. Word List hypothesis (a testable idea/prediction), theory, experiment, variable (a factor that can change), control group, data, sample, analysis, correlation (a relationship between two things), causation (one thing directly causing another), peer review (expert evaluation before publication), methodology, empirical (based on observation/experience), replicate (repeat a study to confirm results), findings, breakthrough (a major discovery), innovation, prototype (an early model), laboratory, specimen, observation, evidence-based, statistically significant, qualitative (descriptive data), quantitative (numerical data), ethical approval, funding, grant (money awarded for research), publication, journal (academic publication), citation, discovery, phenomenon, molecule, genome, clinical trial, placebo (a fake treatment used for comparison), inconclusive (not leading to a clear result). Examples: The researchers formed a hypothesis before designing their experiment. Correlation doesn’t always imply causation — that’s a key point in research. The study’s findings were published in a leading scientific journal. The results were inconclusive, so more research is needed. Remember: «correlation» (two things happen together) and «causation» (one thing directly causes the other) are often confused — a classic research pitfall to understand.