The Debate Over Personal Pronouns in Scientific Writing: A Modern Perspective

Scientific writing has traditionally embraced a formal and impersonal style, often favoring passive voice and avoiding personal pronouns. However, the use of personal pronouns is becoming increasingly acceptable and even recommended in modern scientific practices. This article explores the controversial debate surrounding the use of personal pronouns in scientific writing and provides guidance on when and how to incorporate them effectively.

The Tradition of Passive Voice

For centuries, traditional scientific writing has adhered to a strict use of passive voice. This approach is often attributed to the need for objectivity and clarity, as passive voice can sometimes obscure the agent responsible for an action. Old-fashioned researchers, as they are sometimes called, might insist that the use of passive voice is the only acceptable way to structure research papers. For example, a professor might say, “Always use passive voice in your research paper.” However, times are changing, and the use of personal pronouns is becoming more normalized.

Modern Approaches to Personal Pronouns

In contemporary scientific writing, there is a growing movement to humanize the science by incorporating personal pronouns and active voice. This approach not only makes the writing more relatable but also enhances the clarity and readability of the paper. As one researcher argues, 'Science should be humanized more, and personal pronouns play a crucial role in achieving this goal.'

When to Use Personal Pronouns

There are several occasions where personal pronouns are appropriate in scientific writing:

Describing Objectives: In the materials and methods section, it is often clearer to use passive voice to avoid personal pronouns. However, when describing specific objectives, using personal pronouns can make the paper more engaging and easier to understand. For instance, 'We aimed to investigate the effects of...'

Clarity and Readability: Aim to strike a balance between clarity and conciseness. If reforming a sentence to avoid pronouns makes the text more difficult to read, it may be better to use pronouns to enhance readability. Avoid unnecessary complications that might detract from the main message.

Substance over Style: The primary goal of scientific writing is to convey complex ideas in a clear and concise manner. If the use of pronouns helps achieve this, there is no compelling reason to avoid them. As one researcher noted, 'Just be clear and concise. Don’t go to great troubles reforming sentences to avoid the use of pronouns.'

Benefits of Using Personal Pronouns

The use of personal pronouns in scientific writing offers several benefits:

Enhanced Clarity: Personal pronouns can make it easier to understand who is performing the action, which can improve the overall clarity of the text.

Readability: Active voice with personal pronouns can make the writing more engaging and easier to follow for the reader.

Humanization: Using personal pronouns can make the science more relatable and accessible to a broader audience.

Exceptions and Guidelines

While the use of personal pronouns is becoming more accepted, there are still some circumstances where their use may be discouraged:

Compelling Reasons: If there is a compelling reason to avoid personal pronouns, such as the specific guidelines of a publication, it is important to follow those guidelines.

Approval of Faculty: If personal pronouns are not generally accepted in your institution or field, obtaining approval from your faculty before using them is advisable.

Objective Presentation: Research papers should present information in an objective, empirical, and fact-based manner. Using personal pronouns should not interfere with this goal.

Flexibility in Language Use

The English language provides a great deal of flexibility in how sentences can be constructed. This flexibility allows writers to choose between active and passive voice, making the style of writing more personalized and reader-friendly. For instance, if you need to avoid pronouns in one section, you can easily rephrase the sentence to incorporate them in another part of the paper.

Resources for Further Guidance

While the rules of scientific writing may seem nebulous, the conventions are often more consistent than they appear. To get a better understanding of typical structures in academic papers, consider reading a book on scientific writing or a book on writing in your particular field. These resources can provide valuable examples and guidance on how to structure your research paper effectively.

In conclusion, the debate over personal pronouns in scientific writing is an ongoing discussion. While traditional approaches emphasize passive voice and avoidance of personal pronouns, modern practices recognize the value of personal pronouns. As long as the use of personal pronouns enhances clarity, readability, and humanizes the science, they are a valuable tool in scientific writing.