n · academic
paradigm
UK/ˈpærədaɪm/US/ˈpærəˌdaɪm/PAR·a·digm
a typical example or model of something; a framework of ideas and standards
Examples
“The study proposes a new paradigm for understanding urban poverty.”
“Shifts in scientific paradigms can change how research is conducted.”
“In education, the paradigm has shifted from teaching facts to teaching skills.”
Band 8 sentence
“Contemporary debates about welfare policy reflect a deeper struggle over the underlying paradigm that defines social justice.”
Collocations
- shift in paradigm
- new paradigm
- paradigm shift
Word family
Common mistakes
use as 'paradigm' = 'example' in casual speaking incorrectly→use 'paradigm' to mean a broader model/frame not just a single example
paradigm shifted→paradigm shift
Say it for a higher band
5model→6framework→7+paradigm
Synonyms
model
Easily confused
model
“The model fails to capture the social variables suggested by the paradigm.”
Related words
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In Sublist 6
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