Preferred Personal Pronoun in Research Papers: A Guide for Scholars
Personal pronouns play a crucial role in academic writing, particularly in research papers. However, their usage varies across disciplines and writing styles. Understanding the appropriate choice can enhance the clarity and engagement of your scholarly work.
The Role of Personal Pronouns in Academic Writing
A pronoun is a part of speech that can act as a noun or noun substitute. It is used to avoid repetition, add variety, and clarify the referent of a noun. In academic papers, personal pronouns are often frowned upon due to the belief that they detract from the objectivity and impersonal nature expected in such writing. However, over time, there has been a shift in academic norms, making the use of personal pronouns more acceptable and sometimes even encouraged.
General Guidelines for Personal Pronoun Usage
In many academic fields, particularly those within the social sciences and humanities, the use of first-person pronouns is allowed and sometimes even encouraged. This personal approach can make the writing more relatable and transparent. For example, consider the following sentence:
New research findings suggest that climate change is affecting global biodiversity significantly (Cox, 2021). However, this personal pronoun can be used as follows:
My research findings indicate that climate change is significantly affecting global biodiversity (Cox, 2021).
This not only clarifies the author's contribution but also engages the reader more deeply.
The Preference for Third-Person Pronoun
Third-person pronouns remain the most commonly used pronouns in academic papers. They provide a level of detachment and objectivity, which is highly valued in scholarly discourse. For instance, you might write:
The study indicates a strong correlation between urbanization and increased carbon emissions (Smith, 2022).
Here, the use of 'The study' as a third-person construct maintains the academic detachment.
Passive Voice in Academic Writing
Passive voice is another prevalent construction in academic writing, especially when emphasizing actions or processes rather than their doers. However, passive voice can sometimes lead to awkward or unclear sentences. For example:
Excessive deforestation was observed in the Amazon region (Jones, 2019).
This sentence feels awkward and the agent is implied rather than clearly stated. To make the sentence clearer and more engaging, you might rewrite it using a personal pronoun:
Our research team observed excessive deforestation in the Amazon region (Jones, 2019).
This revision not only clarifies the responsibility but also makes the writing more natural and direct.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the choice between personal pronouns and passive voice depends on the specific discipline and the preferences of the journal or institution to which you are submitting your work. It is advisable to consult the guidelines provided by your target journal or institution. Consistency is key, whether you opt for active or passive voice. Embracing a clear and engaging writing style can enhance the impact and readability of your research paper.