Science relies on precision
In its measures, results and all that
Each word is a careful decision
Or else it is mindless chitchat
Verbs are important for saying
What a scientist needs to express
So it’s important to always search for
The one that describes the work best
Occasionally a researcher gets sloppy
And the rules for precision fall flat
No “measuring”, “testing”, or “examining”
They just say, “We’re looking at that”
Now “looking at that” can be OK
If some kind of a ‘scope is the tool
But for work on invisible molecules
Nobody wants to sound like a fool
One can’t “look at” molecular mechanisms
Or at x-rays up in the sky
Instead, they might “analyze” them
Or they’re something to just “classify”
No “looking at” drugs binding enzymes
But “measuring” interactions works well
And “looking at” neural transmission
Could mean “tracing” the signal for smell
There are entirely too many examples
To be listing them here, it’s true
So, science writers, be careful reporting
Everyone’s “looking at” you
0 Comments