The passive voice in scientific writing. The current norm in science journals
In contrast to past consensus, many authors now feel that the passive voice compromises the quality of scientific writing. However, studies involving scientific articles are rare. Using a corpus of 60 scientific research articles from six journals, this study examined the proportion of passives used...
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sg-ntu-dr.10356-1050482019-12-06T21:45:05Z The passive voice in scientific writing. The current norm in science journals Leong, Ping Alvin School of Humanities and Social Sciences DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication In contrast to past consensus, many authors now feel that the passive voice compromises the quality of scientific writing. However, studies involving scientific articles are rare. Using a corpus of 60 scientific research articles from six journals, this study examined the proportion of passives used, and the contexts and forms in which they occurred. The results revealed that about 30% of all clauses were passive clauses. The canonical form was most pervasive, followed by the bare passive; together, they constituted more than a quarter of all clauses analyzed. Passives were typically used in main clauses, followed by relative and adverbial clauses. Roughly 29% of all passives were located in the methodology section. Based on the results, the proportion of passives in scientific writing may stabilize at about 30%. It is unlikely to dramatically drop any further since the trend suggests that passives are still widely used in the methodology section. Published version 2014-08-28T06:14:02Z 2019-12-06T21:45:05Z 2014-08-28T06:14:02Z 2019-12-06T21:45:05Z 2014 2014 Journal Article Leong, P. A. (2014). The passive voice in scientific writing. The current norm in science journals. Journal of science communication, 13(1), 1-16. https://hdl.handle.net/10356/105048 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/20426 http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/13/01/JCOM_1301_2014_A03 en Journal of science communication © 2014 The Author(s)(Published by International School for Advanced Studies(SISSA)). This paper was published in Journal of Science Communication and is made available as an electronic reprint (preprint) with permission of The Author(s)(Published by International School for Advanced Studies(SISSA)). The paper can be found at the following official DOI: [http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/13/01/JCOM_1301_2014_A03]. One print or electronic copy may be made for personal use only. Systematic or multiple reproduction, distribution to multiple locations via electronic or other means, duplication of any material in this paper for a fee or for commercial purposes, or modification of the content of the paper is prohibited and is subject to penalties under law. application/pdf |
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DRNTU::Social sciences::Communication Leong, Ping Alvin The passive voice in scientific writing. The current norm in science journals |
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In contrast to past consensus, many authors now feel that the passive voice compromises the quality of scientific writing. However, studies involving scientific articles are rare. Using a corpus of 60 scientific research articles from six journals, this study examined the proportion of passives used, and the contexts and forms in which they occurred. The results revealed that about 30% of all clauses were passive clauses. The canonical form was most pervasive, followed by the bare passive; together, they constituted more than a quarter of all clauses analyzed. Passives were typically used in main clauses, followed by relative and adverbial clauses. Roughly 29% of all passives were located in the methodology section. Based on the results, the proportion of passives in scientific writing may stabilize at about 30%. It is unlikely to dramatically drop any further since the trend suggests that passives are still widely used in the methodology section. |
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School of Humanities and Social Sciences Leong, Ping Alvin |
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Leong, Ping Alvin |
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Leong, Ping Alvin |
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The passive voice in scientific writing. The current norm in science journals |
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The passive voice in scientific writing. The current norm in science journals |
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The passive voice in scientific writing. The current norm in science journals |
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The passive voice in scientific writing. The current norm in science journals |
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The passive voice in scientific writing. The current norm in science journals |
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passive voice in scientific writing. the current norm in science journals |
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2014 |
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https://hdl.handle.net/10356/105048 http://hdl.handle.net/10220/20426 http://jcom.sissa.it/archive/13/01/JCOM_1301_2014_A03 |
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