TermFinder: online dictionary help to tackle academic jargon
TermFinder is a collaborative project between Macquarie University teaching staff and dictionary experts, designed to help beginning students understand technical terminology. It offers definitions in plain English with visual and audio illustrations of the terms. So far it includes essential terms in Biology (Genetic) and Statistics, and developmental termbanks in Accountancy, Geology and Neuropsychology. Participants and contributions (2005-2008) have come from the Divisions of Economics and Financial Studies, Environmental and Life Sciences, and Linguistics and Psychology. The lexicographic development has been carried out by members of the Dictionary Research Centre, and online development by the Centre for Flexible Learning.
Using TermFinder
To find the meaning and usage of a technical term, simply type it into the search box in the left hand panel.
If you are uncertain about the spelling, try using wildcards for one or more of the letters (see Search Tips in the left-hand panel). That way incorrect spelling won't prevent you from finding the term you want.
TermFinder may contain one or more alternatives to the term you've typed in, It then takes you to those pages with an explanation at the top as to why you are there. TermFinder offers you information on many more terms than are actually stored as headwords, through a network of lexical relations built into the search system.
The system will also log unsuccessful searches, to show what extra search aids we need to add, and identify additional headwords.
Feedback about TermFinder is very welcome. Please email it to TERMFINDER AT ling DOT edu DOT au.
This site is maintained by the Dictionary Research Centre/Centre for Language Sciences.
Biol 115 Test (2008)
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Biol 115 students doing the test please click here. |
