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IELTS · Sublist 3B2C1

AWL Sublist 3Analysis & Research Terms

63 academic word families from the Coxhead Academic Word List. Analysis, identification, and research terminology. Key for writing literature reviews and academic arguments.

IELTS Academic Word List

Sublist 3: 63 Word Families

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Sublist 3 — Analysis & Research Terms. Analysis, identification, and research terminology. Key for writing literature reviews and academic arguments.

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identifyverbaɪˈdentɪfaɪ
n identificationn identityadj identifiable

Recognise someone or something, or establish what they are or who they are

Collocationsidentify a problemidentify witheasily identifyidentify the causecorrectly identify

The authors identify three key barriers to educational attainment in the region.

commissionnoun / verbkəˈmɪʃən
n commissionv commissionn commissioner

An official request for someone to do a piece of work, often a report or artwork

Collocationscommission a reportcommission a studycommission an inquiryroyal commissionpublic commission

An independent inquiry was commissioned to review the evidence in the case.

justifyverbˈdʒʌstɪfaɪ
n justificationadj justifiedadj justifiable

Show or prove that something is reasonable, necessary, or morally right

Collocationsjustify the decisionjustify the meansjustify spendingfully justifyjustify your answer

The authors justify their methodology with reference to established protocols.

categorynounˈkætəɡəri
v categoriseadj categoricaladv categorically

A class or division of things, people, or activities that share particular features

Collocationsmain categorybroad categoryfall into a categoryseparate categoryput in a category

Each participant was placed in a category based on prior academic experience.

alternativeadjective / nounɔːlˈtɜːnətɪv
adv alternativelyn alternatives

Different from the one mentioned, available as another choice

Collocationsalternative approachviable alternativeno alternativealternative optionalternative method

The authors propose an alternative theoretical model that better accounts for the observed variance.

circumstancenounˈsɜːkəmstəns
n circumstances

A condition or fact connected with an event, action, or situation

Collocationsunder the circumstancesspecial circumstancesdifficult circumstancesunforeseen circumstancesparticular circumstance

Under normal circumstances, the intervention would be delivered over six weeks rather than three.

commentnoun / verbˈkɒment
adj commentaryn commentariesn commentatorn commentatorsv commentedv commenting

A spoken or written remark expressing an opinion or reaction

Collocationsmake a commentcomment onno commentcritical commentfurther comment

The authors comment that further research is needed before firm conclusions can be drawn.

compensateverbˈkɒmpenseɪt
adj compensatoryn compensationn compensationsv compensatesv compensatedv compensating

Reduce or balance the bad effect of something, often by payment

Collocationscompensate forfully compensatecompensate victimscompensate workersadequately compensate

Higher salaries alone do not fully compensate for the adverse working conditions reported by participants.

componentnounkəmˈpəʊnənt
n componentryn components

A part or element of a larger whole, especially of a machine or system

Collocationskey componentessential componentcomponent partmain componentevery component

Critical thinking is a key component of the graduate attributes framework at this institution.

consentnoun / verbkənˈsent
n consensusn consentsv consentedv consenting

Permission for something to happen or agreement to do something

Collocationsgive consentconsent toinformed consentparental consentwritten consent

Written informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to data collection.

considerableadjectivekənˈsɪdərəbl
adv considerably

Large in size, amount, or importance

Collocationsconsiderable amountconsiderable timeconsiderable effortconsiderable evidenceconsiderable success

A considerable body of evidence now supports the link between screen time and sleep disturbance.

constantadjectiveˈkɒnstənt
adv constantlyadv inconstantlyn constancyn inconstancyn constants

Happening continuously over a period of time, or remaining the same

Collocationsconstant pressureremain constantconstant changealmost constantconstant supply

Temperature was held constant throughout the experiment to control for thermal variation.

constrainverbkənˈstreɪn
n constraintn constraintsv constrainsv constrainedv constrainingadj unconstrained

Restrict the actions or development of someone or something

Collocationsconstrain growthconstrain spendingseverely constrainedconstrain choicesconstrain behaviour

Budget limitations constrained the scope of the study, restricting the sample to a single region.

contributeverbkənˈtrɪbjuːt
n contributionn contributionsn contributorn contributorsv contributedv contributing

Give something, especially money or help, together with other people

Collocationscontribute tocontribute moneycontribute ideascontribute significantlywillingly contribute

Multiple factors contribute to the gender gap observed in STEM degree completions.

conveneverbkənˈviːn
adj conventionaladj unconventionaladv conventionallyn conventionn conventionsv convened

Come together for a formal meeting, or arrange such a meeting

Collocationsconvene a meetingconvene a committeeconvene annuallyconvene a panelconvene a conference

An expert committee was convened to review the draft guidelines before their public release.

coordinateverbkəʊˈɔːdɪneɪt
n co-ordinationn coordinationn co-ordinatorv co-ordinatev co-ordinatedv coordinated

Make different things or people work together effectively

Collocationscoordinate effortscoordinate activitiesclosely coordinatecoordinate the responsecoordinate the team

Partner organisations coordinated their responses to ensure a coherent and consistent approach.

corenoun / adjectivekɔː
n cores

The most important or central part of something

Collocationscore valuescore businessat the corecore teamcore curriculum

Language proficiency is a core competency assessed in the university admission process.

corporateadjectiveˈkɔːpərət
n corporationn corporations

Relating to a large company or group

Collocationscorporate culturecorporate governancecorporate worldcorporate responsibilitycorporate identity

Corporate governance structures have come under increasing scrutiny following high-profile financial scandals.

correspondverbˌkɒrɪˈspɒnd
adv correspondinglyn correspondencev correspondsv correspondedv corresponding

Match or be similar to something else in some way

Collocationscorrespond tocorrespond withclosely corresponddirectly correspondcorrespond exactly

The observed pattern corresponds closely to predictions derived from the theoretical model.

criterianounkraɪˈtɪəriə
n criterion

Standards used for judging something or making a decision

Collocationseligibility criteriameet the criteriainclusion criteriaselection criteriastrict criteria

Participants were included only if they met all five eligibility criteria specified in the protocol.

deduceverbdɪˈdjuːs
n deductionn deductionsv deducesv deducedv deducing

Reach a conclusion through careful reasoning from available facts

Collocationsdeduce thatdeduce a conclusionlogically deducereasonably deducededuce from

From the available evidence, it is possible to deduce that exposure began several years before diagnosis.

demonstrateverbˈdemənstreɪt
adj demonstrableadj demonstrativeadv demonstrablyadv demonstrativelyn demonstrationn demonstrations

Show something clearly through evidence, reasoning, or example

Collocationsdemonstrate the effectclearly demonstratedemonstrate thatdemonstrate skillsdemonstrate the need

The results demonstrate a clear dose-response relationship between exercise frequency and wellbeing scores.

documentnoun / verbˈdɒkjumənt
n documentationn documentsv documentedv documenting

Record something in detail, especially in writing or on film

Collocationsdocument a casewell-documenteddocument the findingshistorical documentdocument the process

The effects of air pollution on cognitive development have been documented across multiple populations.

dominateverbˈdɒmɪneɪt
adj dominantn dominancen dominationv dominatesv dominatedv dominating

Have power and influence over a situation, place, or person

Collocationsdominate the marketcontinue to dominatedominate the industrycompletely dominatedominate the discussion

Quantitative approaches continue to dominate the research literature on educational attainment.

emphasisnounˈemfəsɪs
adj emphaticadv emphaticallyv emphasisev emphasisedv emphasizev emphasized

Special importance, value, or focus placed on something

Collocationsplace emphasis onparticular emphasisgreater emphasisput emphasis onspecial emphasis

The report places particular emphasis on early intervention as a cost-effective public health strategy.

ensureverbɪnˈʃʊə
v ensuresv ensuredv ensuring

Make certain that something will occur or be the case

Collocationsensure qualityensure safetyensure thathelp to ensureensure access

Random allocation was used to ensure that treatment and control groups were comparable at baseline.

excludeverbɪkˈskluːd
adj exclusiveadj exclusionaryadv exclusivelyn exclusionn exclusionistn exclusions

Prevent someone or something from entering, being included, or participating

Collocationsexclude fromcompletely excludeexclude the possibilitysystematically excludeexclude data

Studies with fewer than 50 participants were excluded from the meta-analysis on quality grounds.

frameworknounˈfreɪmwɜːk
n frameworks

A basic structure of ideas, rules, or beliefs that supports something more complex

Collocationstheoretical frameworklegal frameworkconceptual frameworkwithin the frameworkprovide a framework

The study adopts a social-ecological framework to analyse community responses to environmental change.

fundnoun / verbfʌnd
n fundern fundersn fundsv fundedv funding

Provide money for a project, organisation, or event

Collocationsfund the projectfund researchpublicly fundedfund a programmefund a study

The research was funded by a national grant council and had no commercial sponsors.

illustrateverbˈɪləstreɪt
adj illustrativen illustrationn illustrationsv illustratesv illustratedv illustrating

Show clearly the meaning or truth of something by example, picture, or diagram

Collocationsillustrate the pointclearly illustrateillustrate a bookillustrate the principlegraphically illustrate

Figure 3 illustrates the divergence between predicted and observed values across time.

immigrateverbˈɪmɪɡreɪt
adj immigrantn immigrationn immigrantsv immigratesv immigratedv immigrating

Come to live permanently in a foreign country

Collocationsimmigrate toimmigrate fromlegally immigrateimmigrate as refugeesrecently immigrated

Families who immigrate after primary school age often face additional language acquisition challenges.

implyverbɪmˈplaɪ
v impliesv impliedv implying

Suggest something without saying it directly

Collocationsimply thatstrongly implyimply causationimply criticismimply consent

These findings imply that current screening protocols may be insufficient for detecting early-stage disease.

initialadjectiveɪˈnɪʃəl
adv initially

Existing or occurring at the beginning of something

Collocationsinitial stageinitial reactioninitial responseinitial findingsinitial assessment

Initial results were encouraging, but later follow-up revealed a significant decline in effect size.

instancenounˈɪnstəns
n instances

A particular case or example of something happening

Collocationsfor instancein this instancerare instancespecific instancefirst instance

In this instance, the qualitative data provided context that the survey could not capture.

interactverbˌɪntərˈækt
adj interactiveadv interactivelyn interactionn interactionsv interactedv interacting

Communicate with or have an effect on something or someone else

Collocationsinteract withinteract sociallyclosely interactinteract with each otherinteract effectively

The two variables interact in complex ways that a simple linear model cannot adequately capture.

layernoun / verbˈleɪə
n layersv layeredv layering

A flat thickness of a substance or material spread over a surface

Collocationstop layerbottom layeradd a layerprotective layerlayer of complexity

The analysis adds a layer of complexity by incorporating longitudinal tracking across four time points.

linknoun / verblɪŋk
n linkagen linkagesn linksv linkedv linking

A connection or relationship between two or more things

Collocationsestablish a linkstrong linkcausal linkdirect linklink between

The study aims to establish a causal link between sleep deprivation and academic performance.

locateverbləʊˈkeɪt
n locationn locationsn relocationv locatedv relocatev relocated

Find the exact position of someone or something, or be situated somewhere

Collocationslocate the sourceeasily locatedcentrally locatedlocate the buildingunable to locate

Data collection sites were located in areas with high concentrations of the target population.

maximiseverbˈmæksɪmaɪz
n maxn maximisationn maximizationv maximisedv maximizev maximized

Make something as large or as great as possible

Collocationsmaximise profitsmaximise potentialmaximise efficiencymaximise outputfully maximise

The sampling strategy was designed to maximise diversity across age, gender, and socioeconomic background.

minoradjectiveˈmaɪnə
n minorityn minoritiesn minors

Smaller, less important, or less serious than other things of the same type

Collocationsminor injuryminor changesminor roleminor problemonly minor

Only minor differences were found between the experimental and control groups at follow-up.

negateverbnɪˈɡeɪt
adj negativeadv negativelyn negativesv negatesv negatedv negating

Make something ineffective, or show that something is false

Collocationsnegate the effectnegate the neednegate the benefiteffectively negatecompletely negate

Effective mentoring can help to negate the disadvantage associated with lower socioeconomic background.

outcomenounˈaʊtkʌm
n outcomes

The final result of an action, situation, or process

Collocationspositive outcomefinal outcomehealth outcomeoutcome of the studydesired outcome

Long-term health outcomes were measured at 12 and 24 months post-intervention.

partnernounˈpɑːtnə
n partnersn partnershipn partnerships

A person who takes part with another or others in doing something

Collocationsbusiness partnerpartner organisationindustry partnerwork in partnershipsenior partner

The project was delivered in partnership with three local government authorities and two charities.

philosophynounfɪˈlɒsəfi
adj philosophicaladv philosophicallyv philosophisev philosophisedv philosophizev philosophized

A set of ideas or beliefs about something, or a system of thought

Collocationspolitical philosophyphilosophy of lifeguiding philosophyeastern philosophybusiness philosophy

The study draws on a constructivist philosophy of knowledge that emphasises meaning-making over measurement.

physicaladjectiveˈfɪzɪkəl
adv physically

Relating to the body rather than the mind or emotions, or to material objects

Collocationsphysical activityphysical healthphysical evidencephysical contactphysically demanding

Physical activity levels were assessed using accelerometers worn continuously for seven days.

proportionnounprəˈpɔːʃən
adj proportionaladj disproportionateadv proportionallyadv proportionatelyadv disproportionatelyn disproportion

A part or share of something compared to the whole

Collocationslarge proportionsmall proportionin proportionhigher proportionsignificant proportion

A large proportion of the variance in test scores was explained by prior academic achievement.

publishverbˈpʌblɪʃ
n publishern publishersv publishesv publishedv publishingadj unpublished

Produce a book, magazine, or other written work for the public to read

Collocationspublish a bookpublish researchrecently publishedpublish a paperwidely published

The findings were published in a high-impact journal following peer review and two rounds of revision.

reactverbriˈækt
adj reactionaryadj reactiven reactionn reactionsn reactivationv reactivate

Respond to something that has happened or been said in a particular way

Collocationsreact quicklyreact badlyreact to the newsreact with surprisehow to react

Participants who reacted most strongly to the initial stimulus showed the greatest long-term change.

registernoun / verbˈredʒɪstə
n deregistrationn registrationv deregisterv deregistersv deregisteringv registering

Record information officially on a list or in a database

Collocationsregister for a courseofficially registerregister a complaintregister a vehicleregister to vote

The trial was prospectively registered with a national clinical trials database prior to recruitment.

relyverbrɪˈlaɪ
adj reliableadj reliantadj unreliableadv reliablyn reliabilityn reliance

Depend on someone or something for help or support

Collocationsrely onrely heavilycannot relyrely on each otherrely on evidence

Many studies rely on self-reported dietary intake, which may introduce some measurement error.

removeverbrɪˈmuːv
adj removablen removaln removalsv removesv removedv removing

Take something or someone away from a place or position

Collocationsremove the obstaclesafely removecompletely removeremove the causeremove from office

Outliers were removed from the dataset before the final statistical analysis was conducted.

schemenoun / verbskiːm
adj schematicadv schematicallyn schemesv schemedv scheming

An organised plan that aims to achieve a particular result

Collocationsgovernment schemea scheme topension schemepilot schemeintroduce a scheme

A government-funded scheme was introduced to encourage small firms to invest in apprenticeship training.

sequencenounˈsiːkwəns
adj sequentialadv sequentiallyn sequencesv sequencedv sequencing

A particular order in which things follow each other

Collocationssequence of eventsin sequencenatural sequencesequence of stepsgenetic sequence

The instructional sequence was designed to progress from foundational to advanced concepts across eight weeks.

sexnounseks
adj sexualadv sexuallyn sexesn sexismn sexuality

Male or female, especially considered with reference to biological differences

Collocationsbiological sexopposite sexsex differencessame sexsex of the participant

Differences by sex were observed in reporting rates, with female participants more likely to disclose.

shiftnoun / verbʃɪft
n shiftsv shiftedv shifting

A change in position, direction, or attitude over time

Collocationsmajor shiftparadigm shiftshift in attitudegradual shiftshift the focus

A significant shift in public attitudes toward renewable energy has occurred over the past decade.

specifyverbˈspesɪfaɪ
adj specifiableadj unspecifiedv specifiesv specifiedv specifying

State or describe something clearly and exactly

Collocationsspecify the conditionsclearly specifyspecify in detailspecify the requirementsspecify the time

The protocol did not specify the dosage threshold, leaving it to the clinical team's discretion.

sufficientadjectivesəˈfɪʃənt
adv insufficientlyadv sufficientlyn sufficiencyadj insufficient

Enough for a particular purpose, or as much as is needed

Collocationssufficient evidencesufficient timemore than sufficientsufficient resourcesdeemed sufficient

The sample size is sufficient to detect a medium effect size with 80% statistical power.

tasknountɑːsk
n tasks

A piece of work to be done, especially as part of one's duties

Collocationsperform a taskdifficult tasksimple taskmain taskcomplete the task

The cognitive task required participants to recall a sequence of words presented on screen.

technicaladjectiveˈteknɪkəl
adv technically

Relating to specialist knowledge or skills, especially in science or industry

Collocationstechnical knowledgetechnical problemtechnical skillstechnical supporthighly technical

Technical expertise in data analysis is increasingly required across all academic disciplines.

techniquenountekˈniːk
n techniques

A particular method of doing an activity, usually one that requires skill

Collocationsuse a techniqueapply a techniqueeffective techniquemodern techniquetraditional technique

Multiple regression is the primary statistical technique used to control for confounding variables.

technologynountekˈnɒlədʒi
adj technologicaladv technologically

Machinery, equipment, and methods based on scientific knowledge

Collocationsnew technologymodern technologyuse technologyinformation technologyadvanced technology

Advances in imaging technology have transformed the diagnosis of neurological conditions.

validadjectiveˈvælɪd
adv validlyn invalidityn validationn validityv invalidatev validate

Based on reasonable evidence or sound reasoning

Collocationsvalid argumentvalid reasonremain validvalid passportvalid concern

The instrument was tested to confirm that it produces valid and reliable measures across all subgroups.

volumenounˈvɒljuːm
n volumes

A large amount of something, or the amount of space something contains

Collocationslarge volumehuge volumevolume of datavolume of trafficsmall volume

The sheer volume of published research on this topic makes a comprehensive review impractical.

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