Capitalizing Scientific Terms: A Quick Guide to Clarity and Consistency

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association – 7th Edition – 9781433832178 – Page 397 Review

“beyond integers or the alphabet the numeral 7 the letter “a” nouns that precede a variable trial n and item x but Trial 3 and Item b (The number and letter are not variables.) names of genes and proteins that include numerals or letters nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1”

This initial segment of the guideline focuses on the proper formatting of numbers and letters when they appear in scientific writing, particularly within the context of variables and specific identifiers. The core principle here is distinction: differentiating between variables and fixed values, and understanding when capitalization and special formatting are necessary.

The guideline explicitly states that simple numerals, such as “the numeral 7,” and letters, “the letter ‘a’,” are presented in lowercase and without any special formatting unless they are part of a larger context requiring specific capitalization rules (which will be addressed later). This underscores the general principle of clarity and consistency. In scientific writing, precision is paramount, and avoiding unnecessary capitalization helps maintain focus on the actual data and analysis.

The instruction regarding “nouns that precede a variable” is crucial. The examples “trial n and item x” illustrate a common scenario in experimental design where ‘n’ and ‘x’ represent variable quantities. Because ‘n’ represents a variable number of trials, the noun “trial” is kept in lowercase. Similarly, “item x” refers to a variable item, ‘x’, which could represent anything being measured or manipulated in the experiment. This convention signals to the reader that ‘n’ and ‘x’ are placeholders for varying values.

Conversely, the contrasting example, “Trial 3 and Item b (The number and letter are not variables),” clarifies the distinction. When “Trial” is followed by a specific numeral (“3”) or “Item” by a specific letter (“b”), they are no longer variables but fixed identifiers. In this case, “Trial” and “Item” are capitalized, indicating specific, defined entities within the experiment. The parenthetical statement, “(The number and letter are not variables),” reinforces this point, emphasizing the importance of differentiating between variable and fixed elements.

Furthermore, the guidelines extend to “names of genes and proteins that include numerals or letters,” providing the example “nuclear receptor subfamily 3, group C, member 1.” This illustrates that when numerals and letters are integral parts of a recognized biological name (e.g., a specific gene or protein), the standard capitalization rules for scientific nomenclature apply. The capitalization here is driven by the established convention for naming specific genes and proteins, not by whether the numbers or letters themselves are variables. This adheres to the broader goal of ensuring that scientific communication remains unambiguous and consistent with established practices within specific disciplines.

“6.20 Names of Conditions or Groups in an Experiment
Do not capitalize names of conditions or groups in an experiment.
the experimental and control groups
participants were assigned to information and no-information conditions
but
Conditions A and B (see Section 6.19)”

Section 6.20 addresses the capitalization of experimental conditions or groups. The overriding principle here is to avoid capitalization unless a specific exception applies, as dictated by a previous section (6.19). The rationale is that the terms “experimental group” and “control group” are generic classifications, not proper nouns, and therefore should be written in lowercase.

The examples provided, “the experimental and control groups” and “participants were assigned to information and no-information conditions,” clearly demonstrate this rule. Both “experimental and control groups” and “information and no-information conditions” are written in lowercase, signifying their status as general categories within the experimental design. This consistency prevents the unnecessary elevation of these terms and contributes to the overall readability of the text.

However, the “but” case, “Conditions A and B (see Section 6.19),” introduces an important exception. When conditions are specifically labeled with letters (e.g., “A” and “B”) and referenced as distinct entities, capitalization becomes appropriate. The reference to Section 6.19 suggests that there are specific rules outlined in that section that justify this deviation from the general rule. This likely involves instances where “Conditions A and B” are treated as proper nouns due to their specific and well-defined roles within the experimental protocol. This emphasizes that context matters, and adherence to specific naming conventions is key.

“6.21 Names of Factors, Variables, and Effects
Capitalize names of derived variables within a factor or principal
components analysis. The words “factor” and “component” are not capitalized unless
followed by a numeral (see Section 6.19).
Big Five personality factors of Extraversion, Agreeableness, Openness to”

Section 6.21 delves into the capitalization rules for factors, variables, and effects, particularly within the context of statistical analyses like factor analysis and principal components analysis. This section highlights the importance of capitalizing “names of derived variables” resulting from these analyses.

The crucial element is the concept of “derived variables.” In factor analysis or principal components analysis, original variables are combined to create new, composite variables called factors or components. The names assigned to these derived variables are typically capitalized. For example, in the analysis of personality traits, the “Big Five personality factors” are often identified as “Extraversion, Agreeableness, Openness to…” These factors are derived from a larger set of individual personality characteristics, and their names are capitalized to signify their status as specific, identified constructs emerging from the analysis.

The phrase “The words ‘factor’ and ‘component’ are not capitalized unless followed by a numeral (see Section 6.19)” provides an additional clarification. When “factor” or “component” are used generically, referring to the statistical concept itself, they are not capitalized (e.g., “a factor analysis was performed”). However, similar to the rule for experimental conditions, if “factor” or “component” is followed by a numeral (e.g., “Factor 1, Component 2”), then capitalization is appropriate, signaling that these are specific, identified factors or components from the analysis. This reference back to Section 6.19 underscores the interconnectedness of these rules and the importance of considering the specific context when applying them. Again, this highlights that context dictates the stylistic choices, and that adherence to the specific naming conventions outlined contributes to precision and clarity.

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