Subtleties of scientific communication: Precision, synonym, “Material and Methods” and “biomaterials”

Alberto Consolaro

The “Material and Methods” section has not been uniformly used by all journals and institutions. In addition to that, “Materials and Methods” or “Material and Method” have been mistakenly employed. The term “material”, in its singular form, is a collective noun of intrinsic plurality. It also functions as a qualifying adjective for solid, liquid or gaseous substances that occupy space as an aggregate of particles that has mass. “Methods” must be used in its plural form because no collective term is able to cover all procedures employed in a research, which often includes more than one single investigation method, for instance, reading, tests, calculations, trials and illustrations. The terms used for products known as “materials” or “biomaterials” are inappropriate for the meaning they convey in the Portuguese language. For this reason, they must be adapted. Or the language must change, which is perfectly possible given its dynamic nature! This article presents the basis for discussions on the theme.

Keywords: Material. Materials. Material and Methods. Methodology. Biocompatibility. Biomaterials.

How to cite: Consolaro A. Subtleties of scientific communication: Precision, synonym, “Material and Methods” and “biomaterials”. Dental Press Implantol. 2013 July-Sept;7(3):32-9.

Thursday, April 25, 2024 19:13