Transcript Science Style & Usage Conventions

SPEAKWRITE
CONVENTIONS:
Style & Usage
in the Sciences
Test
Each slide contains one or more
sentences. Identify the
grammatical or style error. Find
the answer on the next slide.
Grammar
Researchers have questioned the
utility of this treatment since past
work has yielded poor results.
Grammar
Researchers have questioned the utility
of this treatment because past work has
yielded poor results.
Researchers have questioned the utility
of this treatment given that past work
has yielded poor results.
“Since” refers to time, while “because” refers to
cause/reason.
Grammar
The data was analyzed using a one-way
analysis of variance (ANOVA).
Grammar
The data were analyzed using a one-way
analysis of variance (ANOVA).
“Data” is a plural word, while “datum is singular”.
Phrases such as “data is” and “data was” are
incorrect.
Grammar
The significance of these findings are
notable.
Grammar
The significance of these findings is
notable.
Notable is the significance of these
findings.
The number of the subject (e.g., significance)
determines the number of the verb (e.g., is/are).
Significance = is (ignore prepositional phrase)
Grammar
Therefore, study results confirm both
hypothesis’s.
Grammar
Therefore, study results confirm both
hypotheses.
Hypothesis = singular
***same rule for analysis
Hypotheses = plural
Style
The participants’ average heart rate was
64.
Style
The participants’ average heart rate was
64bpm.
Always include the unit of measurement
64 bpm
27 years
5 inches
124 lbs
Grammar
Participants were administered either 0,
75, or 150 mg of caffeine.
Grammar
Participants were administered 0, 75, or
150 mg of caffeine.
Participants were administered either 0
or 75 mg of caffeine.
“Either” is used to compare two items only.
Grammar
The doses used in this study were larger
then those previously reported.
Grammar
The doses used in this study were larger
than those previously reported.
Than = used when comparing items, stating
preferences, or suggesting quantities beyond
certain amount
Then = used when referring to time, space, order, or
a logical conclusion
Fill in each sentence below with either “than” or “then” for practice:
Participants stated that they would
rather read a book _____ listen to music.
Following this initial time period,
participants were ____ allowed to
answer the questions.
Most participants stated that they ate
more _____ the amount suggested.
Grammar
Participants stated that they would
rather read a book than listen to music.
Following this initial time period,
participants were then allowed to answer
the questions.
Most participants stated that they ate
more than the amount suggested.
Style
Study results provide evidence for the
idea that chronic stress causes migraine
headaches.
Style
Study results provide evidence for the
idea that chronic stress influences affects - increases the frequency of
migraine headaches.
Avoid terms such as “cause” and “prove” when
describing study results. No one study “proves”
anything!
Style
Once participants practiced deep
breathing for five minutes, they take the
working memory test.
Grammar
Once participants practiced deep
breathing for five minutes, they
completed the working memory test.
Once participants practice deep
breathing for five minutes, they complete
the working memory test.
Keep to one verb tense throughout the sentence.
Grammar
Results revealed an insignificant
difference between the two treatment
groups.
Grammar
Results revealed an insignificant
difference between the two treatment
groups.
“Insignificant” means “unimportant”; however, nonsignificant findings are just as important as
significant findings!
When describing statistical analysis results, say
“non-significant” or “not significant”.
Grammar
Results comparing the two treatment
groups were almost significant.
The t-test results were pretty significant.
Study results were very significant with
a p < .001.
Additionally, avoid qualifying significant findings.
Results are either significant or not significant, there
is no “almost” or “very”
Grammar
Its imperative that future work take these
points into consideration.
Grammar
It is (It’s) imperative that future work take
these points into consideration.
The many logistical challenges imposed
by this research method likely limit its
usefulness.
It is = it’s (contraction)
Its = possessive
Grammar
When a person is in a manic state, they
often have delusions of grandeur.
Grammar
When a person is in a manic state, they
often have delusions of grandeur.
• Pronoun vs. noun agreement
• Both singular or both plural
When a person is in a manic state, he or
she often has delusions of grandeur.
When people are in a manic state, they
often have delusions of grandeur.
Grammar
The study chose subjects who were at
least 18 years of age.
Grammar
The study chose subjects who were at
least 18 years of age.
Anthropomorphizing = attributing human
characteristics to animals or inanimate objects.
Studies do not “choose”, researchers do.
Grammar
The study chose subjects who were at
least 18 years of age.
The article researched the idea that yoga
may reduce stress in pregnant women.
The rats believed that the tone signaled
food.
Anthropomorphizing = attributing human
characteristics to animals or inanimate objects
Grammar
The 150 mg dose of caffeine increased
heart rate significantly and produced
feelings of nausea. It was observed in
all participants.
Grammar
The 150 mg dose of caffeine increased
heart rate significantly and produced
feelings of nausea. It was observed in
all participants.
What is ‘it’? HR? Nausea? Both?
Pronouns such at ‘it’ must refer to a noun.
These increases in heart rate were…
These effects of nausea were….
Grammar
The ratings of happiness were expected
to significantly increase following the
exercise program.
Grammar
The ratings of happiness were expected
to significantly increase following the
exercise program.
Split infinitive = Adverb or adjective often used to
split an infinitive (to + verb)
To change rapidly
To rapidly change
To not pass the test
To strongly support
VERSUS
Not to pass the test
To support strongly
Grammar
According to the researcher’s plan, the
participants should be farther along in
the program.
Grammar
According to the researcher’s plan, the
participants should be farther along in
the program.
Farther = length, distance
Further = time, degree
Grammar
These phenomenon have been widely
studied by researchers.
Grammar
These phenomenon have been widely
studied by researchers.
Phenomenon = singular
Phenomena = plural
Grammar
The monetary reinforcement effected the
children’s performance significantly.
Grammar
The monetary reinforcement effected the
children’s performance significantly.
Effect = a result (noun)
Affect = to influence (verb)
Grammar
The session location ____ participants’
responses to the questions.
The _____ of the meditation session
included decreased heart rate and
respiration.
Effect = a result (noun)
Affect = to influence (verb)
Grammar
The session location affected
participants’ responses to the questions.
The effects of the meditation session
included decreased heart rate and
respiration.
Effect = a result (noun)
Affect = to influence (verb)
Grammar
The biggest limitation in this study was
the small number of participants
included in the program.
Grammar
The primary/main limitation in this study
was the small number of participants
included in the program.
Big = refers to size, quantity, magnitude
Style
The depressed participants appeared to
be mostly women.
Style
The depressed participants appeared to
be mostly women.
Avoid labels
The participants who scored high on the
depression scale appeared to be mostly
women.
Style
The authors were really concerned about
the sampling bias.
It is so very important that future studies
consider the age range of the sample.
The children absolutely hated the
program implemented at their school.
Style (Emotion)
The authors were really concerned about
the sampling bias.
It is so very important that future studies
consider the age range of the sample.
The children absolutely hated the
program implemented at their school.
Emotion
No need to dramatize or place emphasis
on emotion.
…difference between creative and
scientific writing.
Style
The task administered was the ANT
(Attention Network Task). This task has
been used in previous studies examining
the effects of caffeine on attention.
Style
The task administered was the ANT
(Attention Network Task). This task has
been used in previous studies examining
the effects of yoga on attention.
Abbreviations = spell out in sentence first use