8 Science Research Writing Another way is to use a pronoun (it, they) or pro-form (this method, these systems) to glue the sentences together: Many researchers have suggested ways of reducing cost without aff ecting the quality of the image. Th ese methods rely on data structures built during a preprocessing step. On the basis of these criteria it then describes the preparation of a set of polymer blends using PLA and a hydrocarbon rubber (PI). Th is combination of two mechanistically distinct polymerisations formed a novel copolymer in which the incorporation of PI signifi cantly increased fl exibility. Th e third way is not to fi nish the sentence at all, but to join it to the next sentence with a semicolon or a relative clause (a 'which' clause). Joining sentences with a semicolon works well when two sentences are very closely related and one of them is quite short: Th e procedure for testing whether components are operationally safe usually takes many hours; this means that tests are rarely repeated. It has received much attention over the past few decades due to its biodegradable properties, which off er important economic benefi ts. Th e fourth way is to use a signalling sentence connector to indicate the relationship between one sentence and the next, or one part of a sentence and the next. You know how useful sentence connectors are from your reading; when you see a word like therefore or however, you are able to process the next piece of information in the sentence correctly even if you don't understand every word. Th is is because the sentence connector signals the function of the information in the sentence. Th e opposite is also true: when the writer does not signal the function of the information with a connector, it is harder for the reader to process the information. Even if the grammar is perfect and every word is correct, the reader still may not be sure what the information is doing (Is it a result of the previous
Introduction — Grammar and Writing Skills 9 sentence? An example? A cause?), and may interpret it diff erently from the way the writer intended. You already use words like therefore and however and one aim of this subsection is to make sure that you are using them correctly. Another aim is to expand your vocabulary of signalling words, because you can't spend the rest of your writing life using only therefore and however! Here are some examples of signalling language arranged according to their function. It is not a long list because only those which are commonly used in science writing have been included. CAUSE Th e experiment was unsuccessful ________ the measuring instruments were inaccurate. Th e experiment was unsuccessful ________ the inaccuracy of the measuring instruments. due to (the fact that) as on account of (the fact that) because in view of (the fact that) since • Be careful when you use since; it is also oft en used to mean 'from that time', so if there's any possibility of confusion, choose a diff erent connector. • All these connectors can be used at the start of a sentence, even because (Because the measuring instruments were inaccurate, the experiment was unsuccessful). RESULT Th e measuring instruments were calibrated accurately, ________ the experiment was successful. therefore as a result (of which) consequently which is why hence so • Don't start sentences with so to communicate a result; it's too informal.