Establish

How it is used

Researchers establish a link, a causal relationship or the validity of a scale. Well-established describes ideas or findings that are widely accepted. In the CARS model of introductions, the first move is to establish the territory.

Example sentences

1. A cross-sectional design cannot establish a causal relationship.

2. It is well established that sleep affects memory consolidation.

Common collocations

• establish a link
• establish causality
• well-established
• establish the validity of

Related terms

• demonstrateTo show clearly, with evidence or examples, that something is true or exists.
• evidenceFacts, data or findings that show whether a claim or idea is true or likely to be true.
• validityThe extent to which a study or instrument really measures what it claims to measure and supports the conclusions drawn from it.
• longitudinal studyA study that collects data from the same people or cases repeatedly over a long period in order to observe change.

More terms: Academic Vocabulary

• indicate
• e.g.
• i.e.
• concept
• approach
• implication
• furthermore
• assumption
• phenomenon
• comprise
• respectively
• however