All Questions
Tagged with grammar or writing-style
666 questions
94
votes
7
answers
53k
views
Use of first person in a PhD Thesis
Is there a non written rule to which person to use in the PhD thesis, 5 years of using "We" in the papers have brought me to the innate necessity to do it every time I describe something.
Recently, ...
- 55.7k
4
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Is there a rule for repeated letters when creating acronyms/initialisms/abbreviations?
I'm writing my master thesis and I've created an initialism that has the letter S repeated three times in a row (the initialism is OSSSP and stands for Optimization Search Space Scope Parameters). In ...
- 29.8k
3
votes
2
answers
376
views
Which section of a research paper is best to state that results also depend on equipment used?
I have written a paper with some interesting results. However, I would like to add one or two sentences that draw the attention of the reader to the fact that the results also depend on the ...
- 29.8k
1
vote
2
answers
412
views
Is it appropriate to speak to the reader in scientific paper (but without using "you")? [duplicate]
This is similar to the question here, but my question is different because I'm not asking about ever using "you" in my writing.
I quite like using the turn of phrase "Note that..."....
- 22.3k
1
vote
2
answers
1k
views
What is the meaning of 'six-week course'?
Edit: I found the answer. In the preface to the english edition it says
This book is a translation from the orginal Chinese text of notes based
on a six-week course on algebraic curves and Riemann ...
- 3,133
16
votes
5
answers
4k
views
Using a list to explain symbols used in an equation?
In papers, the symbols explained in an equation are usually explained like this:
δ(t) = tan⁻¹〖ke(t) / vf(t)〗,
where δ(t) is the steering angle, e(t) is the closest point between the path and the ...
- 1,367
0
votes
2
answers
419
views
The right way to do academic writing [duplicate]
I am doing PhD in IT
I have Bsc in Math (there wasn't writing in my study)
and my masters was course based not research.
Today I got my paper returned with many comments
some of these comments are (...
- 43.2k
4
votes
0
answers
119
views
When to transliterate words in foreign languages?
I'm writing a philosophy paper relying heavily on Aristotle and discussing several of his primary terms, including their etymologies. Therefore I say words like ἐντελέχεια and θεωρεῖν a lot. Since a ...
- 41
2
votes
0
answers
58
views
How to improve English quality of my paper? [duplicate]
I am in phase of writing 2nd paper. Previous paper is rejected. The one of the main objection in previous paper was English quality. As English is not my native language and reviewers only say "there ...
- 1,019
0
votes
1
answer
56
views
How to refer to descriptive information of variables as exogenous variables
I am writing the methodology section of my paper in management and one of the models I use takes descriptive statistics, such as min, max, mean, std, of entities as its input (classification model). ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
399
views
How to write the data section when data is reused from a previous work?
I am writing a paper where I am using the same dataset that was used in the previous work which I co-authored. I have written the data and the methodology part of that paper. In the new paper I am ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
Does APA Style prescribe BC and AD or BCE and CE?
Does APA Style prescribe BC and AD or BCE and CE? (I couldn't seem to find information about this in their style guides/manuals.)
- 29.8k
3
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Is it appropriate to use emoji or similar icons in a paper?
I'm not in academia anymore, but spend quite a bit of my time reading papers and using the findings as part of my job.
Today I picked up a paper that contained a couple of emoji-type icons in the ...
- 121
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Would you consider a very short, non-standard thesis that lacks a research questions, a thesis? [closed]
I recently met an artist. He was very proud of the shortness of his Master's thesis, which was published back in early 90's and has only 3 pages! He had been graduated from the California college of ...
- 415
0
votes
1
answer
638
views
Can section, subsection, or sub-subsection headings be formatted as questions in a master's thesis? (not all of them at the same time) [closed]
I am wondering if section, subsection, or sub-subsection headings can be formatted as questions. I am working on my masters thesis (Economics) and am following the Chicago Manual of Style Guide (17th ...
1
vote
0
answers
162
views
Dialogue in Master's thesis
In some works, as
What the Tortoise said to Achilles,
GEB or Invariant Risk Minimization, some ideas are conveyed by a dialogue. I find this both informative and entertaining.
I would like to use a ...
- 111
2
votes
3
answers
3k
views
How can I introduce a fourth reason after having stated that there are three main reasons? [closed]
In an academic paper, I have written "There are three main arguments for why X is not Z."
I have then discussed them like this:
"First, .... (of medium length)
The second argument is that ... (...
- 844
0
votes
1
answer
2k
views
How to cross-references sections in a thesis?
When using cross-references in a thesis for cross-referencing to specific sections, do we have to use section numbers or section names would be fine too?
example:
As discussed in the Discussion ...
- 41.1k
1
vote
1
answer
1k
views
Can I use an Encyclopedia as a reference in an essay?
I am writing a paper that is about another culture. I need to include references about the culture in my paper. Is an encyclopedia an acceptable source for general information about the culture (...
- 41.1k
1
vote
0
answers
139
views
Should a symbol be followed by a noun
Suppose one writes a scientific paper from Math or a related field. Should mathematical symbols be followed by nouns describing them? Should f, x, Ω, P(A) and ß be preceded by function, variable, set, ...
- 111
-1
votes
2
answers
398
views
Should a research proposal contain sections
I'm writing a four page research proposal as a reply to a call for proposals for funding.
Should my document be organized by sections ? or it should only contain text ?
- 6,537
1
vote
1
answer
81
views
Can a casual comparison of phenomena and assumptions based on it be presented in a journal/conference paper? [closed]
In comparison to the size of the universe, humans on earth are like bacteria on a speck of dirt. Much like in the animated movie "Horton hears a who".
When writing a journal/conference paper, if ...
- 11k
8
votes
6
answers
19k
views
Placement of period in sentence that ends with "et al." followed by reference number?
I have a citation that is at the end of a sentence with dual punctuation. What I mean is that I have a sentence of the following form:
Blah blah blah is mentioned by Author et al.
What is the ...
- 111
3
votes
1
answer
1k
views
Are there any guidelines for labeling axes in plots/graphs when the "unit" is "number of people"?
I have read the question Are there any guidelines for labeling axes in plots/graphs? and related answers and they cover the case where the unit is from the International System of Units (SI), but what ...
- 55.7k
11
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Using an abbreviation of another language in the abstract
I'm writing the abstract of my bachelor’s thesis and need to refer to a German research project. The abbreviation of it refers to a German spelling – so I can’t write it out. The English translation ...
- 10.6k
5
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Tense in summary chapter of a thesis
I am currently writing a cumulative dissertation which is based on several published papers. I am supposed to shortly (one page) summarize each of the papers. These summaries come before the actual ...
CommunityBot
- 1
2
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Pagebreak within tables of scientific articles
I do not know if this the suitable forum for this question but I would like to give it a try.
In my thesis I have several very long tables that cover almost one page. Because of this I am getting ...
- 56
1
vote
1
answer
615
views
Parentheses to indicate the word can be singular or plural (APA style)
The pilot for the study involved two props, one for the participant to keep and another to give to someone else.
The study involved three props, one for the participant to keep and two to give to two ...
- 11k
1
vote
3
answers
241
views
What is the name of the style where research papers are written in a story-telling fashion?
The following research paper is written in a story-telling manner:
One Mentor-teacher's Personal Narrative of Collaborative Research on the Teaching Practicum
What is the name of this style of ...
- 11k
4
votes
1
answer
3k
views
IEEE Referencing: Same source, different page numbers
I'm fairly new to IEEE referencing and have a slight dilemma.
If I'm going to be citing the same paper twice in my writing but want to cite specific pages of it, do I include the source twice in the ...
CommunityBot
- 1
10
votes
2
answers
5k
views
What to do with long equation-heavy solutions?
I am writing a paper about a problem that involves solving a certain equation. The problem is that the solution is very long and there are a lot of terms. My question is: Is there a way to present the ...
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
1
answer
198
views
Repetitively citing studies in a literature review
I am writing my first literature review (not using a systematic methodology) and I am trying to put some thought into the underlying structure of the literature review. I have considered these two ...
- 65k
2
votes
2
answers
753
views
How to stop Endnote omitting the year for some references?
I am having problems with Endnote outputting a mix of citation styles (or possibly a broken citation style!) in the same document, despite applying the Endnote Frontiers Science style (official, from ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
2
answers
119
views
Order of “List of”s in TOC
Is there an accepted order in which "List of"s should appear in a thesis?
For example, I have a section dedicated to "List of (Code) Listings", another for "List of Figures", and another for "List of ...
- 22.3k
0
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Can I put the proofs to my lemmas/theorems/corollaries in my appendix?
I have proofs that run on for up to 10 pages. To aid in readability, I would like to discuss my theorem, and the lemmas that support it, without the noise of these lengthy proofs. Can I move the ...
- 10.1k
3
votes
4
answers
8k
views
"Beyond the scope of this paper" phrase
I am writing a scientific paper and I won't be able to go in the details of a certain topic.
I am considering to write something like: "The topic XXX is beyond the scope of this paper.".
I know that ...
- 18.6k
3
votes
4
answers
604
views
Should I 'admit' a weakness of a paper even if it's 'obvious'?
Example: I have a simulation to run that requires social media data sets. The data sets that actually matter are too big to be able to simulate anything useful on. Instead, I picked a data set that's ...
CommunityBot
- 1
1
vote
1
answer
108
views
To what extent should relevant background be discussed vs. just referenced?
Is is perfectly appropriate to refer reviewers to other papers for understanding a concept or writer must include the concept in his paper too?
What should be done while keeping brevity, plagiarism ...
- 26.1k
0
votes
1
answer
3k
views
What's the proper way to (APA) reference a settlement agreement?
I want to reference an exhibit from the following document (it's been split into separate parts):
Exhibits:
https://targetbreachsettlement.com/Portals/0/Documents/Settlement%20Agreement%20Exhibits....
CommunityBot
- 1
4
votes
2
answers
3k
views
Can I use 'Fortunately' in an academic paper
When using "Fortunately" in a technical paper, the appending statement can appear subjective; and hence shouldn't be used in an academic context (?). When used to highlight, for instance, the solution ...
- 55.7k
17
votes
4
answers
3k
views
Writing style in academic English
[comments from my supervisor]
You still have a tendency to use phrases such as "All in all", and "To
this end". Not a serious problem of course, but be aware that the
editors/reviewers for some ...
CommunityBot
- 1
-1
votes
1
answer
775
views
Statement of purpose and career shift
My B.Sc degree was in an unrelated field. However, I have a strong interest in physics, and mathematics. I'm currently writing my statement of purpose for graduate school applications. I have a ...
- 1
11
votes
6
answers
2k
views
What is the advantage of m·s^(-1) over m/s? [closed]
It's everywhere, but no matter who I ask I can never get a straight answer, only "I don't know"s. What is the advantage of using multiplication and negative powers over just using division when ...
- 300
8
votes
5
answers
3k
views
Switching between active and passive voice
I realize writing in active vs passive voice is a heated debate in academia, with arguments being made for and against both styles. My adviser prefers passive voice.. But is it acceptable to switch ...
CommunityBot
- 1
0
votes
1
answer
178
views
Professional writing tips
I just started my post doc and currently writing a paper but I don't have any professional writing experience. Is there a learning curve or forums that can help with improving writing skills? E.g. I ...
- 191k
1
vote
1
answer
404
views
How do I properly cite a research paper?
I know this question already has a similar answer but, please bear with me. I am writing my thesis and I realize there are cases I do not know how to properly cite, as illustrated in the following ...
- 7,824
26
votes
8
answers
5k
views
How to improve scientific writing skills?
What do you do to write better proposals, grants, and papers?
Do you think reading books about how to write scientific content is a good way to improve it?
- 2,324
7
votes
2
answers
527
views
The decoration of language in proposal writing [closed]
I am a newbie to proposal writing although have been writing research papers for several years. After the rejection of my first NSF proposal, I am becoming aware that the proposal language is quite ...
- 7,578
2
votes
3
answers
530
views
Balanced number of sections in paper?
Longer monographs should have an odd number of chapters [the
Internet,1700-xxxx].
Does this rule also apply for papers? I've got a paper with four chapters and I'm wondering if I should make it ...
- 1,508