Scientific Writing Flashcards
7 cards from real STP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Scientific Writing flashcards as text
Which section of a scientific paper is typically written last but placed first?
Answer: Abstract
The abstract is written last because it summarizes the entire paper, including results and conclusions not known until the study is complete.
In IMRAD structure, what does the 'R' stand for?
Answer: Results
IMRAD stands for Introduction, Methods, Results, And Discussion — the standard format for most scientific research articles.
Which citation style is most commonly used in biomedical and clinical sciences?
Answer: Vancouver
The Vancouver system uses numbered citations in order of appearance and is standard in biomedical journals including those following ICMJE recommendations.
A p-value of 0.03 should be reported in a scientific paper as:
Answer: p = 0.03
Exact p-values should be reported rather than threshold comparisons, as recommended by APA and most modern journal guidelines.
What is the purpose of a 'limitations' paragraph in the Discussion section?
Answer: To acknowledge factors that may affect generalizability
A limitations paragraph honestly addresses constraints such as sample size or design flaws that may affect the validity or generalizability of conclusions.
Which verb tense is conventionally used to describe your own Methods in a scientific paper?
Answer: Past tense
Methods are written in the past tense because they describe actions already completed during the study.
What is a 'corresponding author' in a multi-author scientific paper?
Answer: The author responsible for post-publication communication
The corresponding author handles all journal communication including peer review responses, proofs, and post-publication queries from readers.