The basics ‘Affect’ is a verb. It means to influence something, e.g. Diet affects a person’s risk of cancer. Diet actively influences a person’s risk of cancer. ‘Effect’ is a noun. It means an outcome, i.e., the result of an action: An effect of global warming is poorer air quality. We are describing the result […]
Can I cite a preprint?
Preprints are drafts of academic articles that have not been formally published, i.e., they have not been peer reviewed. Instead, they undergo a basic screening and are usually available on preprint servers within 48 hours of submission. Authors typically upload their papers as preprints to date-stamp any new discoveries and to receive feedback before formally […]
How to use ‘respectively’ correctly
The adverb ‘respectively’ is often used incorrectly by non-native English speakers. In this short post, we discuss the correct way to use ‘respectively’, focusing on its use in scientific manuscripts. ‘Respectively’ means ‘separately and in the order already mentioned‘. It is used when describing two or more items that refer back to a previous statement. […]
Declarative titles: Should you state a study’s main findings in the title?
There has been some controversy over the usage of declarative titles, i.e., titles that state the main findings of the study. e.g., Visible light reduces C. elegans longevity [1] Pros Defenders of such titles have argued that they are more informative than other title styles (for information on title styles, please refer to our blog […]
How to write an effective title
You should not underestimate the importance of an effective title. The title is the first thing an editor, reviewer, and reader will see; a title that is poorly constructed may deter viewers from reading further. Titles are also important for indexing purposes; a well-constructed title will make it easier for people searching for papers on […]
