Notion

How it is used

Common in literature reviews and theory: the notion of identity, challenge the notion that, a widely held notion. It often introduces an idea the writer is about to question. Concept is more technical; notion can suggest a looser or less fixed idea.

Example sentences

1. These findings challenge the notion that bilingualism delays language development.

2. Bourdieu's notion of cultural capital is central to this chapter.

Common collocations

• the notion of
• challenge the notion that
• reject the notion
• widely held notion

Related terms

• conceptA general idea or principle, especially one that is defined and used in a particular theory or field of study.
• assumptionSomething accepted as true without being proved, which a theory, method or statistical test depends on.
• theoretical frameworkThe theory or set of connected theories that a study uses to explain its problem, shape its questions and interpret its findings.
• paradigmA set of shared beliefs about reality, knowledge and methods that shapes how researchers in a field ask questions and do research.

More terms: Academic Vocabulary

• indicate
• e.g.
• i.e.
• approach
• implication
• demonstrate
• furthermore
• phenomenon
• comprise
• respectively
• however
• therefore