Notes of 'stuff i mix up'

hiragi

So I'm typing up my notes from my degree and there's a lot of flashcards covering key terms, which are useful for exams but not necessarily for a ZK.

However, due to my brain issues, I do mix up terms which are similar. A big example is the language around experiments, a specific example would be 'ecological validity' vs 'validity' vs 'reliabilty'.

I dont think these terms are worth a zettel in themselves as they are not so much a thought. So I have started a big note which is just a list of experimental terms amd meanings, functionally to prevent me from getting distracted by the Internet.

Is this the right approach?

Most of the terms i don't see linking as important, but something like ecological validity' could be as a lot of my work is on learning disability, the research on which often doesnt include females and POC.

So I guess 'ecological validity' goes on the big term list, and 'there are a fuckton of studies that have no ecological validity in these patterns' can be used as a zettel?

hiragi

Forgot to mention, I'm using Obsidian, if it matters

harr

@hiragi said:
(…) I do mix up terms which are similar. A big example is the language around experiments, a specific example would be 'ecological validity' vs 'validity' vs 'reliabilty'.

I'd start with notes that give an overview. How do all the pieces fit together? Your example contains a hierarchial relationship, so a nested bullet list could work:

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What are main criteria for study design?

• Rigor — research quality, psychometric properties
  • Reliability — consistency of measurement
  • Validity — accuracy and trustworthiness of results
    • Internal validity — Isolation of cause-and-effect relationships
    • External validity — generalizability beyond the sample
      • Ecological validity — generalizability to real-world settings

----

From there you could link to concept notes, that describe the terms in more detail. Think of it like a mini Wikipedia with just the info you really care about. In this case maybe checklists or links to checklists that help you plan your studies.

daneb

@hiragi said:
I dont think these terms are worth a zettel in themselves as they are not so much a thought. So I have started a big note which is just a list of experimental terms amd meanings, functionally to prevent me from getting distracted by the Internet.

Is this the right approach?

Of course, anything what suits you, is right approach. Zettelkasten is not a cult with "right and wrong approaches". It is just one way, how to organise notes. You can adjust, be inspired, or use just something. And use something else, also.

If list of terms suits you, use it of course. I can imagine having lists of many similar uses, like "list of important persons in field XY", "list of chronological events" etc. And, you can later create a proper structural note from such list (= with links). Or you do not have to. It is up to you.

Sascha

If you want to learn the terms, I'd use physical flashcards and a box. For most, this is the faster and more reliable learning approach.