1. C ONVENTIONS : Style & Usage in the Sciences S PEAK W RITE

2. Test Each slide contains one or more sentences. Identify the grammatical or style error. Find the answer on the next slide.

3. Grammar Researchers have questioned the utility of this treatment since past work has yielded poor results.

4. Grammar Researchers have questioned the utility of this treatment because past work has yielded poor results. “Since” refers to time, while “because” refers to cause/reason. 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.

5. Grammar The data was analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

6. “Data” is a plural word, while “datum is singular”. Phrases such as “data is” and “data was” are incorrect. The data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Grammar

7. The significance of these findings are notable. Grammar

8. The number of the subject (e.g., significance) determines the number of the verb (e.g., is/are). Significance = is (ignore prepositional phrase) The significance of these findings is notable. Notable is the significance of these findings. Grammar

9. Therefore, study results confirm both hypothesis’s. Grammar

10. Hypothesis = singular Hypotheses = plural Therefore, study results confirm both hypotheses. ***same rule for analysis Grammar

11. The participants’ average heart rate was 64. Style

12. Always include the unit of measurement 64 bpm 27 years 5 inches 124 lbs The participants’ average heart rate was 64bpm. Style

13. Participants were administered either 0, 75, or 150 mg of caffeine. Grammar

14. “Either” is used to compare two items only. Participants were administered 0, 75, or 150 mg of caffeine. Participants were administered either 0 or 75 mg of caffeine. Grammar

15. The doses used in this study were larger then those previously reported. Grammar

16. 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 The doses used in this study were larger than those previously reported. Grammar

17. 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. Fill in each sentence below with either “than” or “then” for practice:

18. 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. Grammar

19. Study results provide evidence for the idea that chronic stress causes migraine headaches. Style

20. Avoid terms such as “cause” and “prove” when describing study results. No one study “proves” anything! Study results provide evidence for the idea that chronic stress influences - affects - increases the frequency of migraine headaches. Style

21. Once participants practiced deep breathing for five minutes, they take the working memory test. Style

22. Keep to one verb tense throughout the sentence. 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. Grammar

23. Results revealed an insignificant difference between the two treatment groups. Grammar

24. “Insignificant” means “unimportant”; however, non- significant findings are just as important as significant findings! When describing statistical analysis results, say “non-significant” or “not significant”. Results revealed an insignificant difference between the two treatment groups. Grammar

25. 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

26. Its imperative that future work take these points into consideration. Grammar

27. It is = it’s (contraction) Its = possessive 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. Grammar

28. When a person is in a manic state, they often have delusions of grandeur. Grammar

29. Pronoun vs. noun agreement Both singular or both plural When a person is in a manic state, they often have delusions of grandeur. 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

30. The study chose subjects who were at least 18 years of age. Grammar

31. Anthropomorphizing = attributing human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects. Studies do not “choose”, researchers do. The study chose subjects who were at least 18 years of age. Grammar

32. Anthropomorphizing = attributing human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects 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. Grammar

33. The 150 mg dose of caffeine increased heart rate significantly and produced feelings of nausea. It was observed in all participants. Grammar

34. What is ‘it’? HR? Nausea? Both? Pronouns such at ‘it’ must refer to a noun. The 150 mg dose of caffeine increased heart rate significantly and produced feelings of nausea. It was observed in all participants. These increases in heart rate were… These effects of nausea were…. Grammar

35. The ratings of happiness were expected to significantly increase following the exercise program. Grammar

36. Split infinitive = Adverb or adjective often used to split an infinitive (to + verb) The ratings of happiness were expected to significantly increase following the exercise program. To rapidly change To not pass the test To strongly support VERSUS To change rapidly Not to pass the test To support strongly Grammar

37. According to the researcher’s plan, the participants should be farther along in the program. Grammar

38. Farther = length, distance Further = time, degree According to the researcher’s plan, the participants should be farther along in the program. Grammar

39. These phenomenon have been widely studied by researchers. Grammar

40. Phenomenon = singular Phenomena = plural These phenomenon have been widely studied by researchers. Grammar

41. The monetary reinforcement effected the children’s performance significantly. Grammar

42. Effect = a result (noun) Affect = to influence (verb) The monetary reinforcement effected the children’s performance significantly. Grammar

43. Effect = a result (noun) Affect = to influence (verb) The session location ____ participants’ responses to the questions. The _____ of the meditation session included decreased heart rate and respiration. Grammar

44. Effect = a result (noun) Affect = to influence (verb) The session location affected participants’ responses to the questions. The effects of the meditation session included decreased heart rate and respiration. Grammar

45. The biggest limitation in this study was the small number of participants included in the program. Grammar

46. The primary/main limitation in this study was the small number of participants included in the program. Big = refers to size, quantity, magnitude Grammar

47. The depressed participants appeared to be mostly women. Style

48. Avoid labels The depressed participants appeared to be mostly women. The participants who scored high on the depression scale appeared to be mostly women. Style

49. 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

50. 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)

51. No need to dramatize or place emphasis on emotion. …difference between creative and scientific writing. Emotion

52. 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

53. Abbreviations = spell out in sentence first use The task administered was the ANT (Attention Network Task). This task has been used in previous studies examining the effects of yoga on attention. Style