C
ONVENTIONS :

Test
Each slide contains one or more sentences. Identify the grammatical or style error. Find the answer on the next slide.

Grammar
Researchers have questioned the utility of this treatment since past work has yielded poor results.

Grammar
Researchers have questioned the utility of this treatment because past work has
Researchers have questioned the utility of this treatment given that past work has yielded poor results.
“Since” refers to time, while “because” refers to cause/reason.

Grammar
The data was analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Grammar
The data were analyzed using a one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA).
“Data” is a plural word, while “datum is singular”.
Phrases such as “data is” and “data was” are incorrect.

Grammar
The significance of these findings are notable.

Grammar
The significance of these findings is notable.
Notable is the significance of these findings.
The number of the subject (e.g., significance) determines the number of the verb (e.g., is/are).
Significance = is (ignore prepositional phrase)

Grammar
Therefore, study results confirm both hypothesis ’s.

Grammar
Therefore, study results confirm both hypotheses .
Hypothesis = singular
Hypotheses = plural
***same rule for analysis

Style
The participants ’ average heart rate was
64.

Style
The participants ’ average heart rate was
64bpm .
Always include the unit of measurement
64 bpm
27 years
5 inches
124 lbs

Grammar
Participants were administered either 0,
75, or 150 mg of caffeine.

Grammar
Participants were administered 0, 75, or
150 mg of caffeine.
Participants were administered either 0 or 75 mg of caffeine.
“Either” is used to compare two items only.

Grammar
The doses used in this study were larger then those previously reported.

Grammar
The doses used in this study were larger than those previously reported.
Than = used when comparing items, stating preferences, or suggesting quantities beyond certain amount
Then = used when referring to time, space, order, or a logical conclusion

Fill in each sentence below with either “than” or “then” for practice:
Participants stated that they would rather read a book _____ listen to music.
Following this initial time period, participants were ____ allowed to answer the questions.
Most participants stated that they ate more _____ the amount suggested.

Grammar
Participants stated that they would rather read a book than listen to music.
Following this initial time period, participants were then allowed to answer the questions.
Most participants stated that they ate more than the amount suggested.

Style
Study results provide evidence for the idea that chronic stress causes migraine headaches.

Style
Study results provide evidence for the idea that chronic stress influences affects - increases the frequency of migraine headaches.
Avoid terms such as “cause” and “prove” when describing study results. No one study “proves” anything!

Style
Once participants practiced deep breathing for five minutes, they take the working memory test.

Grammar
Once participants practiced deep breathing for five minutes, they completed the working memory test.
Once participants practice deep breathing for five minutes, they complete the working memory test.
Keep to one verb tense throughout the sentence.

Grammar
Results revealed an insignificant difference between the two treatment groups.

Grammar
Results revealed an insignificant difference between the two treatment groups.
“Insignificant” means “unimportant”; however, nonsignificant findings are just as important as significant findings!
When describing statistical analysis results, say
“non-significant” or “not significant”.

Grammar
Results comparing the two treatment groups were almost significant.
The t-test results were pretty significant.
Study results were very significant with a p < .001.
Additionally, avoid qualifying significant findings.
Results are either significant or not significant, there is no “almost” or “very”

Grammar
Its imperative that future work take these points into consideration.

Grammar
It is (It ’s) imperative that future work take these points into consideration.
The many logistical challenges imposed by this research method likely limit its usefulness.
It is = it ’s (contraction)
Its = possessive

Grammar
When a person is in a manic state, they often have delusions of grandeur.

Grammar
When a person is in a manic state, they often have delusions of grandeur.
• Pronoun vs. noun agreement
• Both singular or both plural
When a person is in a manic state, he or she often has delusions of grandeur.
When people are in a manic state, they often have delusions of grandeur.

Grammar
The study chose subjects who were at least 18 years of age.

Grammar
The study chose subjects who were at least 18 years of age.
Anthropomorphizing = attributing human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects.
Studies do not “choose”, researchers do.

Grammar
The study chose subjects who were at least 18 years of age.
The article researched the idea that yoga may reduce stress in pregnant women.
The rats believed that the tone signaled food.
Anthropomorphizing = attributing human characteristics to animals or inanimate objects

Grammar
The 150 mg dose of caffeine increased heart rate significantly and produced feelings of nausea. It was observed in all participants.

Grammar
The 150 mg dose of caffeine increased heart rate significantly and produced feelings of nausea. It was observed in all participants.
What is ‘it’? HR? Nausea? Both?
Pronouns such at ‘it’ must refer to a noun.
These increases in heart rate were…
These effects of nausea were….

Grammar
The ratings of happiness were expected to significantly increase following the exercise program.

Grammar
The ratings of happiness were expected to significantly increase following the exercise program.
Split infinitive = Adverb or adjective often used to split an infinitive (to + verb)
To rapidly change To change rapidly
To not pass the test VERSUS Not to pass the test
To strongly support To support strongly

Grammar
According to the researcher ’s plan, the participants should be farther along in the program.

Grammar
According to the researcher ’s plan, the participants should be farther along in the program.
Farther = length, distance Further = time, degree

Grammar
These phenomenon have been widely studied by researchers.

Grammar
These phenomenon have been widely studied by researchers.
Phenomenon = singular Phenomena = plural

Grammar
The monetary reinforcement effected the children ’s performance significantly.

Grammar
The monetary reinforcement effected the children ’s performance significantly.
Effect = a result (noun) Affect = to influence (verb)

Grammar
The session location ____ participants ’ responses to the questions.
The _____ of the meditation session included decreased heart rate and respiration.
Effect = a result (noun) Affect = to influence (verb)

Grammar
The session location affected participants ’ responses to the questions.
The effects of the meditation session included decreased heart rate and respiration.
Effect = a result (noun) Affect = to influence (verb)

Grammar
The biggest limitation in this study was the small number of participants included in the program.

Grammar
The primary/main limitation in this study was the small number of participants included in the program.
Big = refers to size, quantity, magnitude

Style
The depressed participants appeared to be mostly women.

Style
The depressed participants appeared to be mostly women.
Avoid labels
The participants who scored high on the depression scale appeared to be mostly women.

Style
The authors were really concerned about the sampling bias.
It is so very important that future studies consider the age range of the sample.
The children absolutely hated the program implemented at their school.

Style (Emotion)
The authors were really concerned about the sampling bias.
It is so very important that future studies consider the age range of the sample.
The children absolutely hated the program implemented at their school.

Emotion
No need to dramatize or place emphasis on emotion.
…difference between creative and scientific writing.

Style
The task administered was the ANT
(Attention Network Task). This task has been used in previous studies examining the effects of caffeine on attention.

Style
The task administered was the ANT
(Attention Network Task) . This task has been used in previous studies examining the effects of yoga on attention.
Abbreviations = spell out in sentence first use