Key terms & definitions

An energy transfer pathway in which a force does work by moving an object.

The use of machines to carry out work previously done by people or animals, intended to improve the speed and efficiency of production.

The use of machinery to carry out work previously performed by people or animals.

A process that explains how one factor could produce an observed effect.

A process that explains how one factor could produce an observed outcome.

A device or arrangement of moving parts that transmits or changes force and movement.

A partition separating men's and women's seating areas in an Orthodox synagogue.

The kingdom of the Medes, ruled by Astyages before Cyrus defeated him; its capital was Ecbatana.

The channels used to communicate information to an audience, including television, radio, the press, the internet and social media.

Forms of communication used to share information and ideas with an audience, including newspapers, television, radio, websites and social media.

Exaggeration of an issue’s significance through media coverage, including over-reporting to attract an audience.

The people who consume or engage with a media product.

An organisation that owns companies operating in different areas of the media industry.

The circumstances surrounding media production and consumption, including social relationships, cultural values, historical developments and political conditions.

The connections between media forms, technologies and platforms, allowing content and users to move between them.

Media products, such as television programmes and films, sold or licensed for use in other countries.

The organisations, people and processes involved in producing, distributing and marketing media products.

The choices of words, images, sounds and techniques through which a media product communicates meaning.

A band of glacial debris down the centre of a glacier, formed where the lateral moraines of joining glaciers meet.

The middle value when data are arranged in numerical order; with an even number of values, it is the mean of the two middle values.

The middle value when data are placed in order, or the mean of the two middle values.

The middle value after the data have been put in order; for an even number of values, the mean of the two middle values.

The middle value of ordered data, dividing it into a lower half and an upper half.

The middle value of ordered data, or the mean of the two middle values when there is an even number of values.

The middle score when values are arranged in numerical order. If there are two middle scores, their mean is the median.

The age that divides a population into two equal halves: half the people are younger and half are older.

The recurring ways people choose, consume, discuss, share or create media.

The people, organisations and processes involved in creating media products.

Rules and processes intended to maintain standards in media and protect audiences or individuals from harm.

The way people, groups and issues are portrayed through media content.