CRA Scientific Communication & Reporting 3

Question 1

What is 'salami slicing' in scientific publishing?

Accepted Answer

Dividing one study's data into multiple small publications to inflate output

Answer

Salami slicing is an unethical practice of publishing the same dataset across multiple papers to artificially increase publication count.

Question 2

Which element distinguishes a primary research article from a review article?

Accepted Answer

Primary articles report original experimental data

Answer

Primary research articles present original data collected by the authors, whereas review articles synthesize existing literature.

Question 3

A figure legend in a research paper should:

Accepted Answer

Allow the figure to be understood without reading the full text

Answer

Figure legends must be self-contained, providing enough detail to interpret the figure independently.

Question 4

When is it appropriate to use passive voice in scientific writing?

Accepted Answer

When describing methods to emphasize actions over actors

Answer

Passive voice is conventional in the Methods section to keep focus on procedures rather than who performed them.

Question 5

What does 'CONSORT' refer to in clinical research reporting?

Accepted Answer

Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guideline

Answer

CONSORT is a reporting guideline that provides a checklist and flowchart to improve transparency of randomized controlled trials.

(CRA) Certified Research Associate Practice Test