Scientific Writing Quiz

What is the purpose of the abstract in a scientific paper?

• To discuss the implications of the results

• To present the question being asked in the study

• To provide background information about the topic

• To summarize the entire work described in the article

Which tense is commonly used in the Results section of a scientific paper?

• Past tense

• Conditional tense

• Present tense

• Future tense

What is the function of the Introduction section in a scientific paper?

• To interpret the results and explain their significance

• To present the question being asked and place it in the context of what is already known

• To describe all experimental procedures, including controls

• To summarize general trends in the data without comment

Why is it important to avoid jargon in scientific writing?

• To impress readers with specialized vocabulary

• To ensure that the meaning is clear to those outside the field

• To make the writing more complex and difficult to understand

• To demonstrate expertise in a particular subject

Which section of a scientific paper should contain a description of the nature of the problem and current state of knowledge?

• Methods

• Introduction

• Results

• Discussion

What should be included in the title of a scientific paper?

• The author's name and affiliation

• A summary of the results

• The name of the organism studied, the aspect or system studied, and the variable(s) manipulated

• A list of references cited

How should tables and figures be used in scientific writing?

• To repeat the information in the text

• To present data in a more efficient way than verbal description

• To replace the need for a verbal summary of findings

• To confuse readers with unnecessary visuals

What is the purpose of the Discussion section in a scientific paper?

• To describe the methods used in the study

• To interpret the results and explain their significance

• To summarize the general trends in the data

• To provide a brief statement of what was done

Which tense is commonly used in the Methods section of a scientific paper?

• Past tense

• Future tense

• Present tense

• Conditional tense

What is the importance of review papers in scientific writing?

• To confuse readers with complex analyses

• To identify research gaps and explore potential areas in a field

• To summarize the general trends in the data

• To provide background information about the topic