2

My average scientific paper contains about a dozen of acronyms. Some of them are really helpful: for example, it much more pleasant to write fMRI instead of functional magnetic resonance imaging.

However, I really dislike writing long sentences containing several acronyms. It makes the content difficult to understand for those who are not that familiar with my (sub-)field.

It would be sometimes better to write the acronym in full. However, how "acceptable" is this after introducing an acronym?

In long papers, I would also sometimes like to write out the acronym in full in a new section (e.g., when moving from methods to results and discussion). Some co-authors do not like that.

What is the correct thing to do?

(The use of acronyms – at all – is typically partly dictated by the journal I submit to. Most of them ask to use an acronym instead of writing the name in full if it appears at least thrice in a manuscript.)

Improve this question
2
  • As it happens, I also do fMRI research. Follow the guidelines of the journal, there is no need to reintroduce it at the beginning of a section. I have started a paper in the middle, found an acronym and went back to find it. It's not that big of a deal
    – Azor Ahai -him-
    Commented Oct 18, 2015 at 17:24
  • 1
    If you use LaTeX, and possibly even if you don't, a browse of acronym-related questions at tex.stackexchange.com might be of interest. Although the questions there are about how to achieve a particular effect, the discussion and background may be helpful.
    – Chris H
    Commented Oct 18, 2015 at 18:17

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

For a scientific paper, most publications dictate that you write the term in full the first time you use it, followed by the the abbreviated form in parenthesis.

  • ...that can be easily diagnosed by Magnetic Ressonance Imaging (MRI)

All other times you are expected to use the acronym without parenthesis. If it's a long paper, and there are chapters, you are expected to write it in full the first time it is mentioned in each chapter. As for using several acronyms, say 4 or 5 in a short sentence, I would use some creativity to avoid it. If it can't be avoided at all, there is no problem provided the readers know what you are talking about.

Improve this answer
1
  • +1 for rewording, this is often the best approach. I've given my take as well as we've seen different style guides.
    – Chris H
    Commented Oct 18, 2015 at 18:19
1

My understanding of the journal style guides I've seen is that once the acronym had been introduced you may use the short form after that. There are often situations where you might use the full version after this:

  • Sometimes you are required to use the long form in figure captions (at least at the first occurrence per figure) .
  • Sometimes the term is really needed at the beginning of a sentence and it's often regarded as bad form to start a sentence with an acronym.

Remember that clarity must come first. This can easily mean that the long form is required after the acronym has been introduced.

Improve this answer

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .