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Avoid instructions such as "See Table 2" and "Refer to Figure 6"

The use of figures and tables as adjuncts to text is common in research papers. These adjuncts supplement the text: figures, for example, can convey information that may…
Avoid instructions such as "See Table 2" and "Refer to Figure 6"
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Getting the tenses right: Materials and methods section

Many authors struggle with the usage of tenses in their research paper. This post discusses tense usage in specific sections of the manuscript to help authors write with…
Getting the tenses right: Materials and methods section
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Scientific writing: Avoid starting sentences with a number or abbreviation

When writing a research paper, you have to consider several matters of style. This article discusses the use of abbreviations and numbers in academic writing. …
Scientific writing: Avoid starting sentences with a number or abbreviation
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Scientific communication: Using "Dear Mr." or "Dear Ms." in letters

In writing to academics and scientists, perhaps the solution is simple enough: use Dear Dr Tanaka or Dr Smith or whatever surname or family name your correspondent has…
Scientific communication: Using "Dear Mr." or "Dear Ms." in letters
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Scientific writing: "A number of" and "The number of"

Scientific writing often poses a challenge to non-native English authors. While writing papers, authors often face grammatical problems. Let's look closely at one of the…
Scientific writing: "A number of" and "The number of"
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Using "et al." for in-text citations in research papers

It is rare for a single researcher to publish a paper all by herself or himself; most research papers have several or many authors, and the average number of authors for…
Using "et al." for in-text citations in research papers
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Reading progressively difficult texts can improve researchers' English language competency

Many non-native English authors wish to improve their fluency in English to write better research papers and target international journals. This article discusses how…
Reading progressively difficult texts can improve researchers' English language competency
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Latin phrases in scientific writing: italics or not

Scientific writing often uses a few Latin phrases, either abbreviated (etc. for et cetera and et al. for et alii) or spelt out (in vitro, in vivo, in situ). Should they…
Latin phrases in scientific writing: italics or not
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Avoid the most common errors of grammar in research papers

Studying English grammar will probably help you eliminate many common errors of grammar from your writing—but it is unlikely that, as a researcher, you will actually…
Avoid the most common errors of grammar in research papers

A structured course of instruction on communicating in English

Scientists who find it difficult to communicate in English would find the series of Web pages under the title "English Communication for Scientists" particularly useful.