Key terms & definitions

A body position with arms not folded across the body and legs not crossed; it may indicate relaxation, confidence or agreement.

A prison with lower security and more relaxed conditions, intended for suitable prisoners who can be trusted with greater responsibility.

A question that allows a respondent to answer in their own words rather than selecting from fixed answers.

A question that allows someone to give an answer in their own words rather than choosing from supplied options.

A question that allows a respondent to give their own answer without choosing from a fixed set of options.

A question allowing respondents to answer in their own words.

A question that allows someone to answer freely in their own words.

Unfenced grazing land used by cattle ranchers, which was increasingly divided by farms and fences.

Raising cattle on large areas of unfenced land, much of it public land available for free grazing.

A skill adapted to deal with a changing or unstable environment, such as the actions of an opponent.

A society in which movement between positions in the social hierarchy is possible.

Software whose source code is available under a licence permitting users to inspect, modify and redistribute it under stated conditions.

A system with inputs and outputs that cross its boundary. A drainage basin receives precipitation and loses water through its outlet and to the atmosphere.

A system that can exchange matter with its surroundings.

A value on which an operator acts. In 8 + 3, the operands are 8 and 3.

Learning through the consequences of behaviour: reinforcement makes behaviour more likely, while punishment makes it less likely.

Other costs of running a business that are deducted from gross profit, such as rent, marketing and administrative expenses.

System software that manages a computer's hardware and software resources and provides an interface between the user and the hardware.

One of the mathematical processes addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.

An integrated-circuit amplifier that amplifies the voltage difference between its non-inverting (+) and inverting (−) inputs.

Defining a concept in terms of what will actually be observed or measured in a study.

Defining a variable precisely in terms of how it is manipulated or measured in a study.

An employee who carries out the business's main production or service activities.

The German invasion of the Soviet Union, launched on 22 June 1941.

The military campaign against Iraq beginning with an air offensive in January 1991, followed by the ground campaign that liberated Kuwait.

The US-led military operation launched in Afghanistan on 7 October 2001, with British participation, against al-Qaeda and the Taliban regime.

The sustained US air offensive against North Vietnam in 1972, intended to disrupt its supplies and help stop its offensive against South Vietnam.

The sustained US bombing campaign against North Vietnam and supply routes, lasting from March 1965 to November 1968.

The business function that organises the transformation of inputs, such as materials and labour, into goods or services.

An emergency mobilisation plan for the Reserve Army which the July 1944 conspirators intended to use to seize power after killing Hitler.