Bloom's Taxonomy

Cognitive Domain

Example and Key Words

Knowledge:

Recall data or information.

Examples: Recite a policy. Quote prices from memory to a customer. Know the safety rules.

Key Words: Describe, define, know, identify, list, label, name, match, recall, outline, recognize, select, reproduce, state.

Comprehension:

Understand the interpolation, meaning, and interpretation of instructions and problems. State a problem in one's own words.

Examples: Explain in one’s own words the steps for performing a complex task. Rewrite the principles of test writing. Translate an equation into a computer spreadsheet.

Key Words: Comprehend, defend, convert, estimate, distinguish, explain, generalize, give examples, extend, infer, paraphrase, interpret, predict, summarize, rewrite, translate.

Application:

Use a concept in a new situation or unprompted use of an abstraction. Applies what was learned in the classroom into novel situations in the work place.

Examples: Apply laws of statistics to evaluate the reliability of a written test. Use a manual to calculate an employee’s vacation time.

Key Words: Change, apply, construct, compute, discover, demonstrate, modify, manipulate, predict, operate, produce, prepare, show, relate, use, solve.

Analysis:

Separates material or concepts into component parts so that its organizational structure may be understood. Distinguish between facts and inferences.

Examples: Troubleshoot a piece of equipment by using logical deduction. Gathers information from a department and selects the required tasks for training. Recognize logical fallacies in reasoning.

Key Words: Break down, analyze, contrast, compare, deconstruct, diagram, discriminate, differentiate, identify, distinguish, infer, illustrate, relate, outline, separate, select.

Synthesis:

Builds a structure or pattern from diverse elements. Put parts together to form a whole, with emphasis on creating a new meaning or structure.

Examples: Write a company operations or process manual. Integrates training from several sources to solve a problem. Design a machine to perform a specific task. Revises and process to improve the outcome.

Key Words: combine, categorize, compose, compile, devise, create, explain, design, modify, plan, organize, reconstruct, rearrange, reorganize, relate, rewrite, revise, tell, summarize, write.

Evaluation:

Make judgments about the value of ideas or materials.

Examples: Select the most effective solution. Explain and justify a new budget. Hire the most qualified candidate.

Key Words: compare, appraise, contrast, conclude, critique, criticize, describe, defend, evaluate, explain, discriminate, justify, interpret, summarize, relate, support.