noun · academic
paradigm
UK/ˈpærədaɪm/US/ˈpærəˌdaɪm/PA·ra·digm
a typical example or model of something, especially a set of ideas and practices that define a scientific discipline
Examples
“The study challenges the existing paradigm of cognitive development.”
“A shift in paradigm can change how researchers ask questions.”
“Climate science underwent a paradigm shift in the mid-20th century.”
Band 8 sentence
“The paper argues that current paradigms in public health underestimate social determinants of illness.”
Collocations
- paradigm shift
- existing paradigm
- challenge the paradigm
Word family
Common mistakes
There is a new paradigm in society.→There is a new paradigm in the field of education.
The paradigm was shifted by the researchers.→The paradigm shifted because of new evidence.
Say it for a higher band
5model→6framework→7+paradigm
Synonyms
model
Easily confused
model
“The economic model predicts consumer behaviour.”
framework
“The study adopted a theoretical framework based on behaviourism.”
Related words
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In Science & Research
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