Key terms & definitions

The combining power of an element, shown by how its atoms combine with atoms of other elements.

The view that earthly life provides opportunities for people to develop their character and grow spiritually through challenges, including suffering.

In Norse belief, Odin’s ‘hall of the slain’, associated with warriors who died in battle.

A check that input meets specified rules, such as having the correct data type or being within an allowed range.

An observation that genuinely represents what was being measured, even if it is unusual.

The extent to which an investigation measures what it is intended to measure and helps answer its enquiry question.

The extent to which an investigation measures what it is intended to measure, without other factors providing an alternative explanation.

Whether a method and its data measure what the investigation is intended to measure.

The extent to which an investigation tests the intended effect because other relevant variables have been controlled.

How well an investigation tests the intended relationship, rather than the effects of uncontrolled variables.

The extent to which a statistical method supports a sound conclusion; capture–recapture depends on its assumptions being reasonable.

The extent to which a test measures what it is intended to measure.

The extent to which a research measure captures what it is intended to measure.

Whether research measures what it intends to measure and supports an accurate explanation of the behaviour being studied.

A cross-section across a river valley, showing the shape of the valley floor and its sides.

The 1535 survey of Church wealth and income organised under Thomas Cromwell. Its Latin name means ‘Value of the Church’.

A principle or priority that influences what someone considers important, such as environmental protection, fairness or economic security.

One of the deliberately selected settings of the independent variable, such as a particular concentration or temperature.

An individual item of data used by a program, such as 14 or 'cup'. Every value has a data type.

A belief or priority that influences what a person considers acceptable or desirable, such as respect for religious beliefs or cultural traditions.

A belief about what is important, desirable or morally right.

A belief about what is important or desirable that guides people's behaviour and judgements.

A tax included in the price of many goods and services bought by consumers.

Agreement among members of a society about important values and goals.

The extent to which the benefits and quality received are worth the price paid.

The reversal of mainstream values, so that behaviour condemned by wider society is rewarded within a group.

A decision influenced by the importance people give to different effects, rather than determined by measurement alone.

A decision about the importance or seriousness of something, rather than a direct measurement; for example, deciding how much importance to give habitat damage compared with energy use.

The strengthening of beliefs or ideas an audience member already holds through their media choices.

Beliefs about what is important or desirable, such as religious devotion, social status, loyalty or preserving historic buildings.