How can I quickly check if a word or phrase is correct scientific English?

You try to write your papers clearly, precisely and correctly. You go to English lessons; you regularly read articles from well-edited journals* — not just for the science but for the language too. But sometimes you’re not sure what’s correct and you need the right word or phrase immediately. So what can you do?

Here’s a way you can quickly search well-edited journals to find the correct word or phrase. In this example, let’s imagine that you’re not sure if “ultrasound disintegration” or “ultrasonic disintegration” is correct.

Are you using your favorite word incorrectly? (Other misuses of “parameter”)

The word parameter has been corrupted. Originally, it was just a mathematical term, but now it’s used in a vague way by the general public (Burchfield 2000, 570). Politicians and journalists love to talk about “the parameters of a situation” — it sounds so scientific! However, even a basic introduction to statistics for people who are afraid of mathematics will warn you that this is not the correct technical usage of the word (Rowntree 2000, 83).

Unfortunately, imprecise usage of the word parameter has infected the scientific world. In my last post, I explained what a parameter is and how it's different from a variable. But parameter is also confused with other words. For example, after reading that post, Mariusz Kowalewski of the University of Zurich emailed me that he often sees people writing parameter when they mean factor. (Thanks, Mariusz, for pointing this out.)

Are you using your favorite word incorrectly? ("Parameter" or "variable"?)

Parameter. It’s a word that sounds impressive. And you can find it everywhere in the scientific literature. Scientists describe the parameters of a sample, list diagnostic parameters, and even calculate the parameters of various shapes. The word just feels good — don’t you feel like a serious scientist when you write “parameter” or dream of telling a plenary session of your peers that you have pinpointed the parameters of a problem?

But do you really, precisely know what parameter means in English? Have you noticed that the word parameter is used differently in high-impact journals and low-impact journals? Have you read what the Council of Biology Editors (now the Council of Science Editors) has written about the correct usage of “parameter” and “variable” (Council of Biology Editors 1994, 115)?

Before we go any further, take a moment to write down or tell yourself precisely what you think parameter means in English. (Hint: None of the examples above are correct.)