diff --git a/Framework/API/inc/MantidAPI/Axis.h b/Framework/API/inc/MantidAPI/Axis.h
index 8dc272523373e9d569b79a3dc8ef6ff36bbc07a2..0822fbcd7859f2b79b1b68fcccb750a6c643d91e 100644
--- a/Framework/API/inc/MantidAPI/Axis.h
+++ b/Framework/API/inc/MantidAPI/Axis.h
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ public:
   /// Find the index of the given double value
   virtual size_t indexOfValue(const double value) const = 0;
 
-  /// Get the spectrum index
+  /// Get the spectrum number
   virtual specid_t spectraNo(const std::size_t &index) const;
 
   /// Get the length of the axis
diff --git a/Framework/API/inc/MantidAPI/MatrixWorkspace.h b/Framework/API/inc/MantidAPI/MatrixWorkspace.h
index d8c028f20fea884d5e5869fd329f200c9b022da9..7875dd0eb09d02e35769b52afd1694714646a6af 100644
--- a/Framework/API/inc/MantidAPI/MatrixWorkspace.h
+++ b/Framework/API/inc/MantidAPI/MatrixWorkspace.h
@@ -106,12 +106,12 @@ public:
   std::map<specid_t, Mantid::Kernel::V3D>
   getNeighbours(const Geometry::IDetector *comp, const double radius = 0.0,
                 const bool ignoreMaskedDetectors = false) const;
-  /// Query the NearestNeighbours object for a given spectrum index using a
+  /// Query the NearestNeighbours object for a given spectrum number using a
   /// search radius
   std::map<specid_t, Mantid::Kernel::V3D>
   getNeighbours(specid_t spec, const double radius,
                 const bool ignoreMaskedDetectors = false) const;
-  /// Query the NearestNeighbours object for a given spectrum index using the
+  /// Query the NearestNeighbours object for a given spectrum number using the
   /// direct number of nearest neighbours
   std::map<specid_t, Mantid::Kernel::V3D>
   getNeighboursExact(specid_t spec, const int nNeighbours,
@@ -312,10 +312,10 @@ public:
 
   /**
    * Probes if DX (X Error) values were set on a particular spectrum
-   * @param index: the spectrum index
+   * @param specNum: the spectrum number
    */
-  virtual bool hasDx(const std::size_t index) const {
-    return getSpectrum(index)->hasDx();
+  virtual bool hasDx(const std::size_t specNum) const {
+    return getSpectrum(specNum)->hasDx();
   }
 
   /// Generate the histogram or rebin the existing histogram.
@@ -511,7 +511,7 @@ private:
   /// Flag indicating whether the data has common bins. False by default
   mutable bool m_isCommonBinsFlag;
 
-  /// The set of masked bins in a map keyed on spectrum index
+  /// The set of masked bins in a map keyed on spectrum number
   std::map<int64_t, MaskList> m_masks;
 
   /// A workspace holding monitor data relating to the main data in the
diff --git a/Framework/API/src/SpectrumDetectorMapping.cpp b/Framework/API/src/SpectrumDetectorMapping.cpp
index de51be6d8740cb89bbbf3e80317cbd29f72fc4bd..310e6441f291a24e62d74db720f71982ea7735c4 100644
--- a/Framework/API/src/SpectrumDetectorMapping.cpp
+++ b/Framework/API/src/SpectrumDetectorMapping.cpp
@@ -104,7 +104,7 @@ std::set<specid_t> SpectrumDetectorMapping::getSpectrumNumbers() const {
 const std::set<detid_t> &SpectrumDetectorMapping::getDetectorIDsForSpectrumNo(
     const specid_t spectrumNo) const {
   if (!m_indexIsSpecNo)
-    throw std::runtime_error("Indices are in spectrum index, not number.");
+    throw std::runtime_error("Indices are in the spectrum detector map, not spectrum number.");
   return m_mapping.at(spectrumNo);
 }
 
@@ -112,7 +112,7 @@ const std::set<detid_t> &
 SpectrumDetectorMapping::getDetectorIDsForSpectrumIndex(
     const size_t spectrumIndex) const {
   if (m_indexIsSpecNo)
-    throw std::runtime_error("Indices are in spectrum number, not index.");
+    throw std::runtime_error("Spectrum numbers are in the spectrum detector map, not index.");
   return m_mapping.at(static_cast<int>(spectrumIndex));
 }
 
diff --git a/Framework/API/test/MatrixWorkspaceTest.h b/Framework/API/test/MatrixWorkspaceTest.h
index a3fda30a2722940f34dd4996e64b553b8e27ff27..aed440146e127e2a36f07405b7cc57102bb93df8 100644
--- a/Framework/API/test/MatrixWorkspaceTest.h
+++ b/Framework/API/test/MatrixWorkspaceTest.h
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ public:
     auto ws2 = makeWorkspaceWithDetectors(1, 2);
 
     TS_ASSERT(!ws2->hasMaskedBins(0));
-    // Doesn't throw on invalid spectrum index, just returns false
+    // Doesn't throw on invalid spectrum number, just returns false
     TS_ASSERT(!ws2->hasMaskedBins(1));
     TS_ASSERT(!ws2->hasMaskedBins(-1));
 
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/ApplyTransmissionCorrection.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/ApplyTransmissionCorrection.cpp
index f4ca68ca097d871ee31c6a366fda97ab994939ee..9c660d3ff670da08400e8d201f387e4db14a6c77 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/ApplyTransmissionCorrection.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/ApplyTransmissionCorrection.cpp
@@ -98,7 +98,7 @@ void ApplyTransmissionCorrection::exec() {
     try {
       det = inputWS->getDetector(i);
     } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-      g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << i
+      g_log.warning() << "Spectrum number " << i
                       << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                       << std::endl;
       // Catch if no detector. Next line tests whether this happened - test
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/CalculateFlatBackground.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/CalculateFlatBackground.cpp
index cc9aa9240a03e094e45fa2c37bd7247a09bb241a..77c7133582ef7735c4c0940660d5e0e463801a5e 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/CalculateFlatBackground.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/CalculateFlatBackground.cpp
@@ -394,7 +394,7 @@ double CalculateFlatBackground::Mean(const API::MatrixWorkspace_const_sptr WS,
 * Uses linear algorithm to do the fitting.
 *
 * @param WS The workspace to fit
-* @param spectrum The spectrum index to fit, using the workspace numbering of
+* @param spectrum The spectrum number to fit, using the workspace numbering of
 *the spectra
 * @param startX An X value in the first bin to be included in the fit
 * @param endX An X value in the last bin to be included in the fit
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/ConvertEmptyToTof.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/ConvertEmptyToTof.cpp
index dd86f371812a7e370f61bbe0f60338a23c974705..38a9762053c31e7e6135cff647ea02b7bbe4a648 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/ConvertEmptyToTof.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/ConvertEmptyToTof.cpp
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ void ConvertEmptyToTof::init() {
       "ElasticPeakPosition", EMPTY_INT(), mustBePositive,
       "Value of elastic peak position if none of the above are filled in.");
   declareProperty("ElasticPeakPositionSpectrum", EMPTY_INT(), mustBePositive,
-                  "Spectrum index used for elastic peak position above.");
+                  "Spectrum number used for elastic peak position above.");
 }
 
 //----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -164,7 +164,7 @@ void ConvertEmptyToTof::exec() {
 void ConvertEmptyToTof::validateSpectraIndices(std::vector<int> &v) {
   auto nHist = m_inputWS->getNumberHistograms();
   if (v.size() == 0) {
-    g_log.information("No spectrum index given. Using all spectra to calculate "
+    g_log.information("No spectrum number given. Using all spectra to calculate "
                       "the elastic peak.");
     // use all spectra indices
     v.reserve(nHist);
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/CopyDetectorMapping.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/CopyDetectorMapping.cpp
index 609319a00e4e1b5c8e9c7aef27d0a758368039eb..ae508a023851e4ca550726403a11354aab2e8f0f 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/CopyDetectorMapping.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/CopyDetectorMapping.cpp
@@ -24,7 +24,7 @@ void CopyDetectorMapping::init() {
       new PropertyWithValue<bool>("IndexBySpectrumNumber", false,
                                   Direction::Input),
       "Will use mapping indexed by spectrum number rather than the default of"
-      "spectrum index (recommended when both workspaces have a vertical axis "
+      "spectrum number (recommended when both workspaces have a vertical axis "
       "in spectrum number).");
 }
 
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/CrossCorrelate.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/CrossCorrelate.cpp
index aee9c1fe8717addebf4dad53213fa88ad24f2966..efe6daa74bd69fa94b0da93c7b37af037984079a 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/CrossCorrelate.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/CrossCorrelate.cpp
@@ -172,15 +172,15 @@ void CrossCorrelate::exec() {
   for (int i = 0; i < nspecs; ++i) // Now loop on all spectra
   {
     PARALLEL_START_INTERUPT_REGION
-    size_t spec_index = indexes[i]; // Get the spectrum index from the table
+    size_t wsIndex = indexes[i]; // Get the ws index from the table
     // Copy spectra info from input Workspace
-    out->getSpectrum(i)->copyInfoFrom(*inputWS->getSpectrum(spec_index));
+    out->getSpectrum(i)->copyInfoFrom(*inputWS->getSpectrum(wsIndex));
     out->dataX(i) = XX;
 
     // Get temp references
-    const MantidVec &iX = inputWS->readX(spec_index);
-    const MantidVec &iY = inputWS->readY(spec_index);
-    const MantidVec &iE = inputWS->readE(spec_index);
+    const MantidVec &iX = inputWS->readX(wsIndex);
+    const MantidVec &iY = inputWS->readY(wsIndex);
+    const MantidVec &iE = inputWS->readE(wsIndex);
     // Copy Y,E data of spec(i) to temp vector
     // Now rebin on the grid of reference spectrum
     std::vector<double> tempY(nY);
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/EQSANSTofStructure.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/EQSANSTofStructure.cpp
index ee10ed4b7598fb3eb11d5adeefafba364f704d69..8f5a6958e82a52e5edf8917fe25230daff152c81 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/EQSANSTofStructure.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/EQSANSTofStructure.cpp
@@ -136,7 +136,7 @@ void EQSANSTofStructure::execEvent(
     try {
       det = inputWS->getDetector(ispec);
     } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-      g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << ispec
+      g_log.warning() << "Spectrum number " << ispec
                       << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                       << std::endl;
       // 'continue' statement moved outside catch block because Mac Intel
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/ExtractFFTSpectrum.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/ExtractFFTSpectrum.cpp
index 9539f28656eb1f3895c9565ba5c028f433c23659..87c9aafafc8b3433d210847649f22ddda92ea74d 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/ExtractFFTSpectrum.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/ExtractFFTSpectrum.cpp
@@ -29,7 +29,7 @@ void ExtractFFTSpectrum::init() {
                                           PropertyMode::Optional),
                   "The optional input workspace for the imaginary part.");
   declareProperty("FFTPart", 2, boost::make_shared<BoundedValidator<int>>(0, 5),
-                  "Spectrum index, one of the six possible spectra output by "
+                  "Spectrum number, one of the six possible spectra output by "
                   "the FFT algorithm");
   declareProperty(
       new WorkspaceProperty<>("OutputWorkspace", "", Direction::Output),
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FFTSmooth.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FFTSmooth.cpp
index 7733e4f1c2a548c3fe3e3896412a06bca6bc53e0..806f5f7ae8d98e2075adac9b28c4b7ca2614772d 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FFTSmooth.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FFTSmooth.cpp
@@ -31,7 +31,7 @@ void FFTSmooth::init() {
   auto mustBePositive = boost::make_shared<BoundedValidator<int>>();
   mustBePositive->setLower(0);
   declareProperty("WorkspaceIndex", 0, mustBePositive,
-                  "Spectrum index for smoothing");
+                  "Workspace index for smoothing");
 
   std::vector<std::string> type{"Zeroing"};
   declareProperty("Filter", "Zeroing",
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FFTSmooth2.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FFTSmooth2.cpp
index 91c24992f7083f5648e475c5e44e7faa7900692b..253e194b9585f54157b76f4fdbe8063e6565d110 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FFTSmooth2.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FFTSmooth2.cpp
@@ -33,7 +33,7 @@ void FFTSmooth2::init() {
   auto mustBePositive = boost::make_shared<BoundedValidator<int>>();
   mustBePositive->setLower(0);
   declareProperty("WorkspaceIndex", 0, mustBePositive,
-                  "Spectrum index for smoothing");
+                  "Workspace index for smoothing");
 
   std::vector<std::string> type{"Zeroing", "Butterworth"};
   declareProperty("Filter", "Zeroing",
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindCenterOfMassPosition.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindCenterOfMassPosition.cpp
index c0fe7fb084ee884765426e5055a2f52d6e708938..3beee9ecd82b3d72e3be77129c4827ea6f078649 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindCenterOfMassPosition.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindCenterOfMassPosition.cpp
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ void FindCenterOfMassPosition::exec() {
       try {
         det = inputWS->getDetector(i);
       } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-        g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << i
+        g_log.warning() << "Workspace index " << i
                         << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                         << std::endl;
         continue;
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindCenterOfMassPosition2.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindCenterOfMassPosition2.cpp
index 5462ddc17c7b29c548699e249eda2e088cc3ccbe..dbc388850d1f428e2dd6d6a50d2eecf0d0ff1df2 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindCenterOfMassPosition2.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindCenterOfMassPosition2.cpp
@@ -154,7 +154,7 @@ void FindCenterOfMassPosition2::exec() {
       try {
         det = inputWS->getDetector(i);
       } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-        g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << i
+        g_log.warning() << "Workspace index " << i
                         << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                         << std::endl;
         continue;
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindPeaks.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindPeaks.cpp
index a395853ae317d5436a5fb446ce1309d50951f73f..d368e92f15bb4335f0d322c00ca36e9d7b735f57 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindPeaks.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/FindPeaks.cpp
@@ -817,8 +817,7 @@ int FindPeaks::getVectorIndex(const MantidVec &vecX, double x) {
   * (This is not the CORE fit peak method)
   *
   *  @param input ::    The input workspace
-  *  @param spectrum :: The spectrum index of the peak (is actually the
-  *WorkspaceIndex)
+  *  @param wsIndex :: The workspace index of the peak 
   *  @param center_guess :: A guess of the X-value of the center of the peak, in
   *whatever units of the X-axis of the workspace.
   *  @param fitWidth :: A guess of the full-width-half-max of the peak, in # of
@@ -831,14 +830,14 @@ int FindPeaks::getVectorIndex(const MantidVec &vecX, double x) {
   *  @param rightpeakcentre :: centre of the right peak if existed
   */
 void FindPeaks::fitPeakGivenFWHM(const API::MatrixWorkspace_sptr &input,
-                                 const int spectrum, const double center_guess,
+                                 const int wsIndex, const double center_guess,
                                  const int fitWidth, const bool hasleftpeak,
                                  const double leftpeakcentre,
                                  const bool hasrightpeak,
                                  const double rightpeakcentre) {
   // The X axis you are looking at
-  const MantidVec &vecX = input->readX(spectrum);
-  const MantidVec &vecY = input->readY(spectrum);
+  const MantidVec &vecX = input->readX(wsIndex);
+  const MantidVec &vecY = input->readY(wsIndex);
 
   // Find i_center - the index of the center - The guess is within the X axis?
   int i_centre = this->getVectorIndex(vecX, center_guess);
@@ -880,7 +879,7 @@ void FindPeaks::fitPeakGivenFWHM(const API::MatrixWorkspace_sptr &input,
         << ", " << vecX[i_max];
   g_log.information(outss.str());
 
-  fitSinglePeak(input, spectrum, i_min, i_max, i_centre);
+  fitSinglePeak(input, wsIndex, i_min, i_max, i_centre);
 
   return;
 }
@@ -889,15 +888,14 @@ void FindPeaks::fitPeakGivenFWHM(const API::MatrixWorkspace_sptr &input,
 /** Attempts to fit a candidate peak with a given window of where peak resides
   *
   *  @param input    The input workspace
-  *  @param spectrum The spectrum index of the peak (is actually the
-  *WorkspaceIndex)
+  *  @param wsIndex The workspace index of the peak 
   *  @param centre_guess ::  Channel number of peak candidate i0 - the higher
   *side of the peak (right side)
   *  @param xmin    Minimum x value to find the peak
   *  @param xmax    Maximum x value to find the peak
   */
 void FindPeaks::fitPeakInWindow(const API::MatrixWorkspace_sptr &input,
-                                const int spectrum, const double centre_guess,
+                                const int wsIndex, const double centre_guess,
                                 const double xmin, const double xmax) {
   // Check
   g_log.information() << "Fit Peak with given window:  Guessed center = "
@@ -905,12 +903,12 @@ void FindPeaks::fitPeakInWindow(const API::MatrixWorkspace_sptr &input,
                       << ", x-max = " << xmax << "\n";
   if (xmin >= centre_guess || xmax <= centre_guess) {
     g_log.error("Peak centre is on the edge of Fit window. ");
-    addNonFitRecord(spectrum, centre_guess);
+    addNonFitRecord(wsIndex, centre_guess);
     return;
   }
 
   // The X axis you are looking at
-  const MantidVec &vecX = input->readX(spectrum);
+  const MantidVec &vecX = input->readX(wsIndex);
 
   // The centre index
   int i_centre = this->getVectorIndex(vecX, centre_guess);
@@ -922,7 +920,7 @@ void FindPeaks::fitPeakInWindow(const API::MatrixWorkspace_sptr &input,
                   << " is out side of minimum x = " << xmin
                   << ".  Input X ragne = " << vecX.front() << ", "
                   << vecX.back() << "\n";
-    addNonFitRecord(spectrum, centre_guess);
+    addNonFitRecord(wsIndex, centre_guess);
     return;
   }
 
@@ -931,12 +929,12 @@ void FindPeaks::fitPeakInWindow(const API::MatrixWorkspace_sptr &input,
   if (i_max < i_centre) {
     g_log.error() << "Input peak centre @ " << centre_guess
                   << " is out side of maximum x = " << xmax << "\n";
-    addNonFitRecord(spectrum, centre_guess);
+    addNonFitRecord(wsIndex, centre_guess);
     return;
   }
 
   // finally do the actual fit
-  fitSinglePeak(input, spectrum, i_min, i_max, i_centre);
+  fitSinglePeak(input, wsIndex, i_min, i_max, i_centre);
 
   return;
 }
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/GetEi2.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/GetEi2.cpp
index e5e18e16f3df8b99687793186ecc889504429a40..fcaf5b2b02fb8764d5ce6f11e37f73e39e3ae1df 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/GetEi2.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/GetEi2.cpp
@@ -90,7 +90,7 @@ void GetEi2::init()
 
   declareProperty(
       "FirstMonitorIndex", 0,
-      "The spectrum index of the first montitor in the input workspace.",
+      "The workspace index of the first monitor in the input workspace.",
       Direction::Output);
 
   declareProperty("Tzero", 0.0, "", Direction::Output);
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/Q1D2.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/Q1D2.cpp
index fbe418882dea48014b013be7c6146287c2aa546b..76cfb294f80abf3a7b2ae89d24d0b39c1d947f7b 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/Q1D2.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/Q1D2.cpp
@@ -353,9 +353,9 @@ Q1D2::setUpOutputWorkspace(const std::vector<double> &binParams) const {
 /** Calculate the normalization term for each output bin
 *  @param wavStart [in] the index number of the first bin in the input
 * wavelengths that is actually being used
-*  @param specInd [in] the spectrum to calculate
+*  @param wsIndex [in] the ws index of the spectrum to calculate
 *  @param pixelAdj [in] if not NULL this is workspace contains single bins with
-* the adjustments, e.g. detector efficencies, for the given spectrum index
+* the adjustments, e.g. detector efficencies, for the given ws index
 *  @param wavePixelAdj [in] if not NULL this is workspace that contains the
 * adjustments for the pixels and wavelenght dependend values.
 *  @param binNorms [in] pointer to a contigious array of doubles that are the
@@ -367,7 +367,7 @@ Q1D2::setUpOutputWorkspace(const std::vector<double> &binParams) const {
 *  @param normETo2 [out] this pointer must point to the end of the norm array,
 * it will be filled with the total of the error on the normalization
 */
-void Q1D2::calculateNormalization(const size_t wavStart, const size_t specInd,
+void Q1D2::calculateNormalization(const size_t wavStart, const size_t wsIndex,
                                   API::MatrixWorkspace_const_sptr pixelAdj,
                                   API::MatrixWorkspace_const_sptr wavePixelAdj,
                                   double const *const binNorms,
@@ -375,7 +375,7 @@ void Q1D2::calculateNormalization(const size_t wavStart, const size_t specInd,
                                   const MantidVec::iterator norm,
                                   const MantidVec::iterator normETo2) const {
   double detectorAdj, detAdjErr;
-  pixelWeight(pixelAdj, specInd, detectorAdj, detAdjErr);
+  pixelWeight(pixelAdj, wsIndex, detectorAdj, detAdjErr);
   // use that the normalization array ends at the start of the error array
   for (MantidVec::iterator n = norm, e = normETo2; n != normETo2; ++n, ++e) {
     *n = detectorAdj;
@@ -386,32 +386,32 @@ void Q1D2::calculateNormalization(const size_t wavStart, const size_t specInd,
     if (wavePixelAdj)
       // pass the iterator for the wave pixel Adj dependent
       addWaveAdj(binNorms + wavStart, binNormEs + wavStart, norm, normETo2,
-                 wavePixelAdj->readY(specInd).begin() + wavStart,
-                 wavePixelAdj->readE(specInd).begin() + wavStart);
+                 wavePixelAdj->readY(wsIndex).begin() + wavStart,
+                 wavePixelAdj->readE(wsIndex).begin() + wavStart);
     else
       addWaveAdj(binNorms + wavStart, binNormEs + wavStart, norm, normETo2);
   }
-  normToMask(wavStart, specInd, norm, normETo2);
+  normToMask(wavStart, wsIndex, norm, normETo2);
 }
 
 /** Calculates the normalisation for the spectrum specified by the index number
 * that was passed
-*  as the solid anlge multiplied by the pixelAdj that was passed
+*  as the solid angle multiplied by the pixelAdj that was passed
 *  @param[in] pixelAdj if not NULL this is workspace contains single bins with
-* the adjustments, e.g. detector efficencies, for the given spectrum index
-*  @param[in] specIndex the spectrum index to return the data from
-*  @param[out] weight the solid angle or if pixelAdj the solid anlge times the
+* the adjustments, e.g. detector efficiencies, for the given ws index
+*  @param[in] wsIndex the workspace index to return the data from
+*  @param[out] weight the solid angle or if pixelAdj the solid angle times the
 * pixel adjustment for this spectrum
 *  @param[out] error the error on the weight, only non-zero if pixelAdj
 *  @throw LogicError if the solid angle is tiny or negative
 */
 void Q1D2::pixelWeight(API::MatrixWorkspace_const_sptr pixelAdj,
-                       const size_t specIndex, double &weight,
+                       const size_t wsIndex, double &weight,
                        double &error) const {
   const V3D samplePos = m_dataWS->getInstrument()->getSample()->getPos();
 
   if (m_doSolidAngle)
-    weight = m_dataWS->getDetector(specIndex)->solidAngle(samplePos);
+    weight = m_dataWS->getDetector(wsIndex)->solidAngle(samplePos);
   else
     weight = 1.0;
 
@@ -421,8 +421,8 @@ void Q1D2::pixelWeight(API::MatrixWorkspace_const_sptr pixelAdj,
   }
   // this input multiplies up the adjustment if it exists
   if (pixelAdj) {
-    weight *= pixelAdj->readY(specIndex)[0];
-    error = weight * pixelAdj->readE(specIndex)[0];
+    weight *= pixelAdj->readY(wsIndex)[0];
+    error = weight * pixelAdj->readE(wsIndex)[0];
   } else {
     error = 0.0;
   }
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/Q1DWeighted.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/Q1DWeighted.cpp
index e97c2069439695aa13ae4a699e850995fdfac83b..465bfb6b0725e1a74038e84fba18f2285883c271 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/Q1DWeighted.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/Q1DWeighted.cpp
@@ -184,7 +184,7 @@ void Q1DWeighted::exec() {
       try {
         det = inputWS->getDetector(i);
       } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-        g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << i
+        g_log.warning() << "Workspace index " << i
                         << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                         << std::endl;
         // Catch if no detector. Next line tests whether this happened - test
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/Qxy.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/Qxy.cpp
index d7a605245b6bd7441ee146fdb2cfd36dd3ad40cb..43ca61fde12f61cecb25ab5199c8bdf94278eeb7 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/Qxy.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/Qxy.cpp
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ void Qxy::exec() {
     try {
       det = inputWorkspace->getDetector(i);
     } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-      g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << i
+      g_log.warning() << "Workspace index " << i
                       << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                       << std::endl;
       // Catch if no detector. Next line tests whether this happened - test
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/RemoveBins.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/RemoveBins.cpp
index c901b7afe8eeaad3a2af5e429de74be4cb8344f8..7361a836f6b1d6f2e5bcbdaa89961a54a8d4667b 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/RemoveBins.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/RemoveBins.cpp
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ void RemoveBins::crop(const double &start, const double &end) {
 }
 
 /** Convert the X range given into the unit of the input workspace
- *  @param index ::  The current spectrum index
+ *  @param index ::  The current workspace index
  *  @param startX :: Returns the start of the range in the workspace's unit
  *  @param endX ::   Returns the end of the range in the workspace's unit
  */
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/SANSDirectBeamScaling.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/SANSDirectBeamScaling.cpp
index 6d96768ea28087146e758e9e17af4c7a38c4d83a..03a99b714c9b6889fb9a9d557cef7df475c7c9e9 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/SANSDirectBeamScaling.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/SANSDirectBeamScaling.cpp
@@ -106,7 +106,7 @@ void SANSDirectBeamScaling::exec() {
     try {
       det = inputWS->getDetector(i);
     } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-      g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << i
+      g_log.warning() << "Workspace index " << i
                       << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                       << std::endl;
       continue;
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/TOFSANSResolution.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/TOFSANSResolution.cpp
index 835295274b83fc9c23a6ab1367e490a0f6c125b5..660015397667e3b9841ff5e4735ff6520d9e82d5 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/TOFSANSResolution.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/TOFSANSResolution.cpp
@@ -130,7 +130,7 @@ void TOFSANSResolution::exec() {
     try {
       det = reducedWS->getDetector(i);
     } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-      g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << i
+      g_log.warning() << "Workspace index " << i
                       << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                       << std::endl;
       // Catch if no detector. Next line tests whether this happened - test
diff --git a/Framework/Algorithms/src/TOFSANSResolutionByPixel.cpp b/Framework/Algorithms/src/TOFSANSResolutionByPixel.cpp
index 232fbc75d69a276291d753e188e3859900e76c45..4d8f5e6e05cf2ed2e3d7d54ab7e52948b31042f9 100644
--- a/Framework/Algorithms/src/TOFSANSResolutionByPixel.cpp
+++ b/Framework/Algorithms/src/TOFSANSResolutionByPixel.cpp
@@ -142,7 +142,7 @@ void TOFSANSResolutionByPixel::exec() {
     try {
       det = inWS->getDetector(i);
     } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-      g_log.information() << "Spectrum index " << i
+      g_log.information() << "Workspace index " << i
                           << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                           << std::endl;
     }
diff --git a/Framework/DataHandling/inc/MantidDataHandling/SaveAscii.h b/Framework/DataHandling/inc/MantidDataHandling/SaveAscii.h
index 2127facda26c5822773a73b0a845fab1f08ab9e9..66c53bc541b1abc23a845fe21a43f385f30625ec 100644
--- a/Framework/DataHandling/inc/MantidDataHandling/SaveAscii.h
+++ b/Framework/DataHandling/inc/MantidDataHandling/SaveAscii.h
@@ -12,18 +12,6 @@ namespace DataHandling {
 
 Saves a workspace or selected spectra in a coma-separated ascii file. Spectra
 are saved in columns.
-Properties:
-<ul>
-      <li>Filename - the name of the file to write to.  </li>
-      <li>Workspace - the workspace name to be saved.</li>
-      <li>SpectrumMin - the starting spectrum index to save (optional) </li>
-      <li>SpectrumMax - the ending spectrum index to save (optional) </li>
-      <li>SpectrumList - a list of comma-separated spectra indeces to save
-(optional) </li>
-      <li>Precision - the numeric precision - the number of significant digits
-for the saved data (optional) </li>
-</ul>
-
 
 @author Roman Tolchenov, Tessella plc
 @date 3/07/09
diff --git a/Framework/DataHandling/inc/MantidDataHandling/SaveAscii2.h b/Framework/DataHandling/inc/MantidDataHandling/SaveAscii2.h
index eb8f63b1992f4c6920c3bdf9b0448a3fc88373b9..dfc64ed8fed872d58b680ffc130d653d882f45af 100644
--- a/Framework/DataHandling/inc/MantidDataHandling/SaveAscii2.h
+++ b/Framework/DataHandling/inc/MantidDataHandling/SaveAscii2.h
@@ -13,18 +13,6 @@ namespace DataHandling {
 
 Saves a workspace or selected spectra in a coma-separated ascii file. Spectra
 are saved in columns.
-Properties:
-<ul>
-<li>Filename - the name of the file to write to.  </li>
-<li>Workspace - the workspace name to be saved.</li>
-<li>SpectrumMin - the starting spectrum index to save (optional) </li>
-<li>SpectrumMax - the ending spectrum index to save (optional) </li>
-<li>SpectrumList - a list of comma-separated spectra indeces to save (optional)
-</li>
-<li>Precision - the numeric precision - the number of significant digits for the
-saved data (optional) </li>
-</ul>
-
 
 @author Keith Brown, ISIS, Placement student from the University of Derby
 @date 10/10/13
diff --git a/Framework/DataHandling/src/LoadMuonNexus1.cpp b/Framework/DataHandling/src/LoadMuonNexus1.cpp
index aae4ccfda33ed1153c317e126616be5a44d6319a..c85961c7e3d2e86482f77ea8e44258835cc92a33 100644
--- a/Framework/DataHandling/src/LoadMuonNexus1.cpp
+++ b/Framework/DataHandling/src/LoadMuonNexus1.cpp
@@ -590,7 +590,7 @@ LoadMuonNexus1::createDetectorGroupingTable(std::vector<int> specToLoad,
 
 /** Load in a single spectrum taken from a NeXus file
 *  @param hist ::     The workspace index
-*  @param i ::        The spectrum index
+*  @param i ::        The spectrum number
 *  @param specNo ::   The spectrum number
 *  @param nxload ::   A reference to the MuonNeXusReader object
 *  @param lengthIn :: The number of elements in a spectrum
diff --git a/Framework/DataHandling/src/SaveISISNexus.cpp b/Framework/DataHandling/src/SaveISISNexus.cpp
index 57cfb8e667237dd8cf98b7db6ad31f3eacbe6b82..dc81b48ceeb97d91118f5ca77c7ca98cc77b8277 100644
--- a/Framework/DataHandling/src/SaveISISNexus.cpp
+++ b/Framework/DataHandling/src/SaveISISNexus.cpp
@@ -641,7 +641,7 @@ void SaveISISNexus::monitor_i(int i) {
   NXmakegroup(handle, ostr.str().c_str(), "NXmonitor");
   NXopengroup(handle, ostr.str().c_str(), "NXmonitor");
 
-  //  int imon = m_isisRaw->mdet[i]; // spectrum index
+  //  int imon = m_isisRaw->mdet[i]; // spectrum number
   NXmakedata(handle, "data", NX_INT32, 3, dim);
   NXopendata(handle, "data");
   for (int p = 0; p < nper; ++p) {
diff --git a/Framework/LiveData/src/ISISHistoDataListener.cpp b/Framework/LiveData/src/ISISHistoDataListener.cpp
index 86d80efb25a2d55f02f96b30bd9da70c3fc5c32c..f84dfdb6355aa25d1a6abf9e6722ce3531626b80 100644
--- a/Framework/LiveData/src/ISISHistoDataListener.cpp
+++ b/Framework/LiveData/src/ISISHistoDataListener.cpp
@@ -405,7 +405,7 @@ void ISISHistoDataListener::calculateIndicesForReading(
 /**
  * Read spectra from the DAE
  * @param period :: Current period index
- * @param index :: First spectrum index
+ * @param index :: First spectrum number
  * @param count :: Number of spectra to read
  * @param workspace :: Workspace to store the data
  * @param workspaceIndex :: index in workspace to store data
diff --git a/Framework/MDAlgorithms/src/ConvertCWPDMDToSpectra.cpp b/Framework/MDAlgorithms/src/ConvertCWPDMDToSpectra.cpp
index ef2f4dd8a2dbf4b224eecc02ce2cba830eccfa42..d9037b8f621d3ee056de0205e88a4b00cdac805b 100644
--- a/Framework/MDAlgorithms/src/ConvertCWPDMDToSpectra.cpp
+++ b/Framework/MDAlgorithms/src/ConvertCWPDMDToSpectra.cpp
@@ -640,7 +640,7 @@ void ConvertCWPDMDToSpectra::linearInterpolation(
     }
     g_log.debug() << "iMinNonZero = " << minNonZeroIndex
                   << ", iMaxNonZero = " << maxNonZeroIndex
-                  << " Spectrum index = " << i
+                  << " Workspace index = " << i
                   << ", Y size = " << matrixws->readY(i).size() << "\n";
     if (minNonZeroIndex >= maxNonZeroIndex)
       throw std::runtime_error("It is not right!");
diff --git a/Framework/WorkflowAlgorithms/src/EQSANSMonitorTOF.cpp b/Framework/WorkflowAlgorithms/src/EQSANSMonitorTOF.cpp
index a3fdd83bd01f391e68521b8456b5bb946bd21291..7a3349740d10ca98f115a8a0a10973eed0f1c073 100644
--- a/Framework/WorkflowAlgorithms/src/EQSANSMonitorTOF.cpp
+++ b/Framework/WorkflowAlgorithms/src/EQSANSMonitorTOF.cpp
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ void EQSANSMonitorTOF::exec() {
   try {
     mon = inputWS->getInstrument()->getDetector(monitor_list[0]);
   } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-    g_log.error() << "Spectrum index " << monitor_list[0]
+    g_log.error() << "Spectrum number " << monitor_list[0]
                   << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                   << std::endl;
     return;
diff --git a/Framework/WorkflowAlgorithms/src/SANSSolidAngleCorrection.cpp b/Framework/WorkflowAlgorithms/src/SANSSolidAngleCorrection.cpp
index 7fb9cee5d5e04c9ee33e75f1678b973ca40486cf..6b6460afaed0a701671e442206067b07312c1cb5 100644
--- a/Framework/WorkflowAlgorithms/src/SANSSolidAngleCorrection.cpp
+++ b/Framework/WorkflowAlgorithms/src/SANSSolidAngleCorrection.cpp
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ void SANSSolidAngleCorrection::exec() {
     try {
       det = inputWS->getDetector(i);
     } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-      g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << i
+      g_log.warning() << "Workspace index " << i
                       << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                       << std::endl;
       // Catch if no detector. Next line tests whether this happened - test
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ void SANSSolidAngleCorrection::execEvent() {
     try {
       det = outputEventWS->getDetector(i);
     } catch (Exception::NotFoundError &) {
-      g_log.warning() << "Spectrum index " << i
+      g_log.warning() << "Workspace index " << i
                       << " has no detector assigned to it - discarding"
                       << std::endl;
       // Catch if no detector. Next line tests whether this happened - test
diff --git a/MantidPlot/src/Mantid/MantidUI.cpp b/MantidPlot/src/Mantid/MantidUI.cpp
index ad0c59bf71bfa095769a03083652e6171ef0e2c5..e88755e8eb4e84f1c4645ccb30e870ea3c3901cb 100644
--- a/MantidPlot/src/Mantid/MantidUI.cpp
+++ b/MantidPlot/src/Mantid/MantidUI.cpp
@@ -2947,7 +2947,7 @@ y-values and errors (if errs is true) of the following spectra. If visible == tr
 the table is made visible in Qtiplot.
 
 The name of a Y column is "Y"+QString\:\:number(i), where i is the row in the MantidMatrix,
-not the spectrum index in the workspace.
+not the spectrum number in the workspace.
 
 */
 Table* MantidUI::createTableFromSelectedRows(MantidMatrix *m, bool errs, bool binCentres)
@@ -3041,7 +3041,7 @@ MultiLayer *MantidUI::plot1D(const QStringList &ws_names, const QList<int> &inde
 		{
 			pairs.insert(workspace_name, spec_itr.previous());
 		}
-		//Reset spectrum index pointer
+		//Reset workspace index pointer
 		spec_itr.toBack();
 	}
 
diff --git a/MantidPlot/src/Mantid/PeakPickerTool.h b/MantidPlot/src/Mantid/PeakPickerTool.h
index 1a9a540c268899618c8fbc9b6a3e01f5b6cf6d58..b752f405d8f44059f14e0fa79468602f7685606a 100644
--- a/MantidPlot/src/Mantid/PeakPickerTool.h
+++ b/MantidPlot/src/Mantid/PeakPickerTool.h
@@ -86,7 +86,7 @@ public:
   bool eventFilter(QObject *obj, QEvent *event) override;
   /// Workspace name
   const QString& workspaceName()const{return m_wsName;}
-  /// Spectrum index
+  /// workspace index
   int spec()const{return m_spec;}
   /// The parent graph
   Graph* graph()const{return d_graph;}
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ private:
 
   /// Workspace name
   QString m_wsName;
-  /// Spectrum index
+  /// Workspace index
   int m_spec;
   /// Pointer to the workspace
   boost::shared_ptr<Mantid::API::MatrixWorkspace> m_ws;
diff --git a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/inc/MantidQtCustomInterfaces/DataComparison.h b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/inc/MantidQtCustomInterfaces/DataComparison.h
index 004dfa9cbf0dc20ced4fbbad9233ca7b71f3a2e4..d4bc6ce9b13c1179821471f1c39ec5282bf594d5 100644
--- a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/inc/MantidQtCustomInterfaces/DataComparison.h
+++ b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/inc/MantidQtCustomInterfaces/DataComparison.h
@@ -53,7 +53,7 @@ namespace CustomInterfaces
     /// Handles updating the plot
     void updatePlot();
     /// Handles updating th eplot after a spectum index is changed
-    void spectrumIndexChanged();
+    void workspaceIndexChanged();
     /// Handles creating and plotting a diff worksapce
     void plotDiffWorkspace();
     /// Toggle the pan plot tool
diff --git a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/inc/MantidQtCustomInterfaces/Indirect/IndirectTab.h b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/inc/MantidQtCustomInterfaces/Indirect/IndirectTab.h
index 639cd0dede31de13e33c3b444214cd6f1d553319..d5ddd8eb716c87c3c8bb558cdb84461479ebf9a9 100644
--- a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/inc/MantidQtCustomInterfaces/Indirect/IndirectTab.h
+++ b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/inc/MantidQtCustomInterfaces/Indirect/IndirectTab.h
@@ -100,8 +100,8 @@ protected:
   /// Gets the base name of a workspace
   QString getWorkspaceBasename(const QString &wsName);
 
-  /// Plot a spectrum plot with a given spectrum index
-  void plotSpectrum(const QStringList &workspaceNames, int specIndex = 0);
+  /// Plot a spectrum plot with a given ws index
+  void plotSpectrum(const QStringList &workspaceNames, int wsIndex = 0);
   /// Plot a spectrum plot of a given workspace
   void plotSpectrum(const QString &workspaceName, int specIndex = 0);
 
diff --git a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/DataComparison.cpp b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/DataComparison.cpp
index 214f4dc7cef53de93ce2c399f8aca5a60ba3a708..409786ad797ed0e10ca8669242b66ac684befb13 100644
--- a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/DataComparison.cpp
+++ b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/DataComparison.cpp
@@ -77,8 +77,8 @@ void DataComparison::initLayout()
   connect(m_uiForm.pbZoom, SIGNAL(toggled(bool)), this, SLOT(toggleZoom(bool)));
   connect(m_uiForm.pbResetView, SIGNAL(clicked()), this, SLOT(resetView()));
 
-  // Replot spectra when the spectrum index is changed
-  connect(m_uiForm.sbSpectrum, SIGNAL(valueChanged(int)), this, SLOT(spectrumIndexChanged()));
+  // Replot spectra when the workspace index is changed
+  connect(m_uiForm.sbSpectrum, SIGNAL(valueChanged(int)), this, SLOT(workspaceIndexChanged()));
 
   // Add headers to data table
   QStringList headerLabels;
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ void DataComparison::removeAllData()
   }
 
   // Replot the workspaces
-  spectrumIndexChanged();
+  workspaceIndexChanged();
 }
 
 
@@ -347,20 +347,20 @@ void DataComparison::plotWorkspaces()
     // Calculate spectrum number
     QSpinBox *specOffsetSpin = dynamic_cast<QSpinBox *>(m_uiForm.twCurrentData->cellWidget(row, SPEC_OFFSET));
     int specOffset = specOffsetSpin->value();
-    int specIndex = globalSpecIndex - specOffset;
-    g_log.debug() << "Spectrum index for workspace " << workspaceName.toStdString()
-                  << " is " << specIndex << ", with offset " << specOffset << std::endl;
+    int wsIndex = globalSpecIndex - specOffset;
+    g_log.debug() << "Workspace index for workspace " << workspaceName.toStdString()
+                  << " is " << wsIndex << ", with offset " << specOffset << std::endl;
 
     // See if this workspace extends the reach of the global spectrum selector
     int maxGlobalSpecIndexForWs = numSpec + specOffset - 1;
     if(maxGlobalSpecIndexForWs > maxGlobalSpecIndex)
       maxGlobalSpecIndex = maxGlobalSpecIndexForWs;
 
-    // Check the spectrum index is in range
-    if(specIndex >= numSpec || specIndex < 0)
+    // Check the workspace index is in range
+    if(wsIndex >= numSpec || wsIndex < 0)
     {
       g_log.debug() << "Workspace " << workspaceName.toStdString()
-                    << ", spectrum index out of range." << std::endl;;
+                    << ", workspace index out of range." << std::endl;;
 
       // Give "n/a" in current spectrum display
       m_uiForm.twCurrentData->item(row, CURRENT_SPEC)->setText(tr("n/a"));
@@ -373,11 +373,11 @@ void DataComparison::plotWorkspaces()
     }
 
     // Update current spectrum display
-    m_uiForm.twCurrentData->item(row, CURRENT_SPEC)->setText(tr(QString::number(specIndex)));
+    m_uiForm.twCurrentData->item(row, CURRENT_SPEC)->setText(tr(QString::number(wsIndex)));
 
     // Create the curve data
     const bool logScale(false), distribution(false);
-    QwtWorkspaceSpectrumData wsData(*workspace, static_cast<int>(specIndex), logScale, distribution);
+    QwtWorkspaceSpectrumData wsData(*workspace, static_cast<int>(wsIndex), logScale, distribution);
 
     // Detach the old curve from the plot if it exists
     if(m_curves.contains(workspaceName))
@@ -407,7 +407,7 @@ void DataComparison::plotWorkspaces()
 
 
 /**
- * Normalises the spectrum index offsets in the data table to zero.
+ * Normalises the workspace index offsets in the data table to zero.
  */
 void DataComparison::normaliseSpectraOffsets()
 {
@@ -425,7 +425,7 @@ void DataComparison::normaliseSpectraOffsets()
       lowestOffset = specOffset;
   }
 
-  // Subtract the loest offset from all offsets to ensure at least one offset is zero
+  // Subtract the lowest offset from all offsets to ensure at least one offset is zero
   for(int row = 0; row < numRows; row++)
   {
     QSpinBox *specOffsetSpin = dynamic_cast<QSpinBox *>(m_uiForm.twCurrentData->cellWidget(row, SPEC_OFFSET));
@@ -449,9 +449,9 @@ void DataComparison::updatePlot()
 
 
 /**
- * Handles a spectrum index or offset being modified.
+ * Handles a workspace index or offset being modified.
  */
-void DataComparison::spectrumIndexChanged()
+void DataComparison::workspaceIndexChanged()
 {
   normaliseSpectraOffsets();
   plotWorkspaces();
diff --git a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/IndirectTab.cpp b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/IndirectTab.cpp
index 73574e6efc1d3e5466396a6c11260067042c446c..eb6cbefd95f96aacc58c4075f6fcf8cd2a64bacb 100644
--- a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/IndirectTab.cpp
+++ b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/IndirectTab.cpp
@@ -215,10 +215,10 @@ QString IndirectTab::getWorkspaceBasename(const QString &wsName) {
  * This uses the plotSpectrum function from the Python API.
  *
  * @param workspaceNames List of names of workspaces to plot
- * @param specIndex Index of spectrum from each workspace to plot
+ * @param wsIndex Index of spectrum from each workspace to plot
  */
 void IndirectTab::plotSpectrum(const QStringList &workspaceNames,
-                               int specIndex) {
+                               int wsIndex) {
   if (workspaceNames.isEmpty())
     return;
 
@@ -227,7 +227,7 @@ void IndirectTab::plotSpectrum(const QStringList &workspaceNames,
   pyInput += "plotSpectrum(['";
   pyInput += workspaceNames.join("','");
   pyInput += "'], ";
-  pyInput += QString::number(specIndex);
+  pyInput += QString::number(wsIndex);
   pyInput += ")\n";
 
   m_pythonRunner.runPythonCode(pyInput);
diff --git a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/Quasi.cpp b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/Quasi.cpp
index d128157e2559dcee2bd9b0eff079310b9666b5a7..b5683d94a89196a2b034ad8a06acef125cc85656 100644
--- a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/Quasi.cpp
+++ b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/Quasi.cpp
@@ -404,7 +404,7 @@ void Quasi::handleProgramChange(int index) {
 /**
  * Handles setting a new preview spectrum on the preview plot.
  *
- * @param value Spectrum index
+ * @param value workspace index
  */
 void Quasi::previewSpecChanged(int value) {
   m_previewSpec = value;
diff --git a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/ResNorm.cpp b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/ResNorm.cpp
index 644c206d71e7a1440a19213230e09263810e9876..3cb9706dcf1414a56da09c274aee277ac4a81412 100644
--- a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/ResNorm.cpp
+++ b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/Indirect/ResNorm.cpp
@@ -278,7 +278,7 @@ void ResNorm::updateProperties(QtProperty *prop, double val) {
 /**
  * Sets a new preview spectrum for the mini plot.
  *
- * @param value Spectrum index
+ * @param value workspace index
  */
 void ResNorm::previewSpecChanged(int value) {
   m_previewSpec = value;
diff --git a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/SANSDiagnostics.cpp b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/SANSDiagnostics.cpp
index a8abf5f7ac065bbd333bd9dbb244c7646c0f98e0..48789ff9b0063be8176d564792a19835ececcbfe 100644
--- a/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/SANSDiagnostics.cpp
+++ b/MantidQt/CustomInterfaces/src/SANSDiagnostics.cpp
@@ -473,7 +473,7 @@ namespace MantidQt
       if ( min_spec_index == ULONG_MAX || max_spec_index == 0){
         g_log.error()<<"Error : The instrument does not have data associated to the RectangularDetector " << rectDet->getDetectorName().toStdString()<<std::endl;
       }
-      // as long the spectrum index is the workspace index + 1
+      // as long the spectrum number is the workspace index + 1
       specList.clear();
       // it is not really required, it could stay with the workspace id, just for compatibility
       specList.push_back(mws_sptr->getSpectrum(min_spec_index)->getSpectrumNo());
@@ -515,7 +515,7 @@ namespace MantidQt
       
     }
 
-    /** This method returns workspace Indexes for the given spectrum indexes
+    /** This method returns workspace Indexes for the given spectrum numbers
       * @param mws_sptr - shared pointer to workspace
       * @param specList - list of spectra
       * @param startWSIndex - start index of workspace
@@ -797,8 +797,8 @@ namespace MantidQt
     * executes LoadRaw and SumRowColumn algorithm.
     * @param range string entered by user
     * @param orientation orientation
-    * @param specMin- minimum spectrum index
-    * @param specMax - maximum spectrum index
+    * @param specMin- minimum spectrum number
+    * @param specMax - maximum spectrum number
     * @param detectorName - name of the detector.
     * @param integrationType - the type of the integration, i.e. H, V or T
     * @param bMask boolean used for masking
@@ -936,8 +936,8 @@ namespace MantidQt
    /**This method gets called from the handler of TimeIntegral Clicked button click.
     * executes SumSpectra algorithm.
     * @param range string entered by user   
-    * @param minSpec- minimum spectrum index used to separate the Front/Rear Detectors data.
-    * @param maxSpec - maximum spectrum index used to separate the Front/Read Detectors data.
+    * @param minSpec- minimum spectrum number used to separate the Front/Rear Detectors data.
+    * @param maxSpec - maximum spectrum number used to separate the Front/Read Detectors data.
     * @param opws - output workspace.
     * @param pixel_mask boolean used for masking 
     */
diff --git a/MantidQt/MantidWidgets/src/PreviewPlot.cpp b/MantidQt/MantidWidgets/src/PreviewPlot.cpp
index 70647142c5fc280a0308c7710fe61b9e88b575b6..edb36053062bdf32375112831e27bb71e4dc5ff4 100644
--- a/MantidQt/MantidWidgets/src/PreviewPlot.cpp
+++ b/MantidQt/MantidWidgets/src/PreviewPlot.cpp
@@ -236,12 +236,12 @@ QPair<double, double> PreviewPlot::getCurveRange(const QString &curveName) {
  *
  * @param curveName Name of curve
  * @param ws Pointer to the workspace
- * @param specIndex Spectrum index to plot
+ * @param wsIndex workspace index to plot
  * @param curveColour Colour of curve to plot
  */
 void PreviewPlot::addSpectrum(const QString &curveName,
                               const MatrixWorkspace_sptr ws,
-                              const size_t specIndex,
+                              const size_t wsIndex,
                               const QColor &curveColour) {
   if (curveName.isEmpty()) {
     g_log.warning("Cannot plot with empty curve name");
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ void PreviewPlot::addSpectrum(const QString &curveName,
   m_showErrorsMenu->addAction(m_curves[curveName].showErrorsAction);
 
   // Create the curve
-  addCurve(m_curves[curveName], ws, specIndex, curveColour);
+  addCurve(m_curves[curveName], ws, wsIndex, curveColour);
 
   // Create the curve label
   QLabel *label = new QLabel(curveName);
@@ -283,7 +283,7 @@ void PreviewPlot::addSpectrum(const QString &curveName,
   m_curves[curveName].ws = ws;
   m_curves[curveName].label = label;
   m_curves[curveName].colour = curveColour;
-  m_curves[curveName].wsIndex = specIndex;
+  m_curves[curveName].wsIndex = wsIndex;
 
   // Replot
   emit needToReplot();
@@ -294,11 +294,11 @@ void PreviewPlot::addSpectrum(const QString &curveName,
  *
  * @param curveName Name of curve
  * @param wsName Name of workspace in ADS
- * @param specIndex Spectrum index to plot
+ * @param wsIndex workspace index to plot
  * @param curveColour Colour of curve to plot
  */
 void PreviewPlot::addSpectrum(const QString &curveName, const QString &wsName,
-                              const size_t specIndex,
+                              const size_t wsIndex,
                               const QColor &curveColour) {
   if (wsName.isEmpty()) {
     g_log.error("Cannot plot with empty workspace name");
@@ -314,7 +314,7 @@ void PreviewPlot::addSpectrum(const QString &curveName, const QString &wsName,
     throw std::runtime_error(
         wsNameStr + " is not a MatrixWorkspace, not supported by PreviewPlot.");
 
-  addSpectrum(curveName, ws, specIndex, curveColour);
+  addSpectrum(curveName, ws, wsIndex, curveColour);
 }
 
 /**
@@ -613,15 +613,15 @@ PreviewPlot::handleReplaceEvent(WorkspaceAfterReplaceNotification_ptr pNf) {
  * Creates a new curve and adds it to the plot.
  *
  * @param curveConfig Curve configuration to add to
- * @param ws Worksapce pointer
- * @param specIndex Index of histogram to plot
+ * @param ws Workspace pointer
+ * @param wsIndex Index of histogram to plot
  * @param curveColour Colour of curve
  */
 void PreviewPlot::addCurve(PlotCurveConfiguration &curveConfig,
-                           MatrixWorkspace_sptr ws, const size_t specIndex,
+                           MatrixWorkspace_sptr ws, const size_t wsIndex,
                            const QColor &curveColour) {
-  // Check the spectrum index is in range
-  if (specIndex >= ws->getNumberHistograms())
+  // Check the workspace index is in range
+  if (wsIndex >= ws->getNumberHistograms())
     throw std::runtime_error("Workspace index is out of range, cannot plot.");
 
   // Check the X axis is large enough
@@ -645,7 +645,7 @@ void PreviewPlot::addCurve(PlotCurveConfiguration &curveConfig,
     ws = convertXAlg->getProperty("OutputWorkspace");
   }
 
-  std::vector<double> wsDataY = ws->readY(specIndex);
+  std::vector<double> wsDataY = ws->readY(wsIndex);
 
   // If using log scale need to remove all negative Y values
   bool logYScale = getAxisType(QwtPlot::yLeft) == "Logarithmic";
@@ -664,7 +664,7 @@ void PreviewPlot::addCurve(PlotCurveConfiguration &curveConfig,
   }
 
   // Create the Qwt data
-  QwtArray<double> dataX = QVector<double>::fromStdVector(ws->readX(specIndex));
+  QwtArray<double> dataX = QVector<double>::fromStdVector(ws->readX(wsIndex));
   QwtArray<double> dataY = QVector<double>::fromStdVector(wsDataY);
   QwtArrayData wsData(dataX, dataY);
 
@@ -677,7 +677,7 @@ void PreviewPlot::addCurve(PlotCurveConfiguration &curveConfig,
   // Create error bars if needed
   if (curveConfig.showErrorsAction->isChecked()) {
     curveConfig.errorCurve =
-        new ErrorCurve(curveConfig.curve, ws->readE(specIndex));
+        new ErrorCurve(curveConfig.curve, ws->readE(wsIndex));
     curveConfig.errorCurve->attach(m_uiForm.plot);
   } else {
     curveConfig.errorCurve = NULL;
diff --git a/MantidQt/SpectrumViewer/src/MatrixWSDataSource.cpp b/MantidQt/SpectrumViewer/src/MatrixWSDataSource.cpp
index 894333a90197ca7c2506aa84335fde70107b2909..322b8121be3b13c52669f5ab48221bca1f40338b 100644
--- a/MantidQt/SpectrumViewer/src/MatrixWSDataSource.cpp
+++ b/MantidQt/SpectrumViewer/src/MatrixWSDataSource.cpp
@@ -52,7 +52,7 @@ MatrixWSDataSource::MatrixWSDataSource( MatrixWorkspace_const_sptr matWs ) :
   m_totalXMin = matWs->getXMin();
   m_totalXMax = matWs->getXMax();
 
-  m_totalYMin = 0;  // Y direction is spectrum index
+  m_totalYMin = 0;  // Y direction is workspace index
   m_totalYMax = (double)matWs->getNumberHistograms();
 
   m_totalRows = matWs->getNumberHistograms();
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ DataArray_const_sptr MatrixWSDataSource::getDataArray( double xMin,    double  x
     }
   }
 
-  // Choose spectra from required range of spectrum indexes
+  // Choose spectra from required range of workspace indexes
   double yStep = (yMax - yMin) / (double)numRows;
   double dYIndex;