Jargon—specialised language or technical terminology used within a particular field—plays a pivotal role in academic research. For PhD students, mastering the right balance of jargon can significantly enhance the clarity and impact of their writing.
While jargon enables precise communication of complex ideas among experts, it can also create barriers when overused or misapplied. This blog will guide you through the essentials of jargon in academic writing: what it is, when and how to use it, and best practices to ensure your research is accessible without sacrificing technical rigour.
Whether you are drafting your thesis, preparing papers, or presenting at conferences, understanding jargon is key to effective scholarly communication.
What is Jargon in Academic Writing?
Jargon refers to specialised words, phrases, or expressions that belong to a particular profession, discipline, or group. In academic and scientific contexts, scientific jargon often manifests as terms and abbreviations that capture complex concepts succinctly. For example, terms like “phenotype,” “epistasis,” or “Bayesian inference” are common in biology and statistics but may confuse those outside those disciplines.
In research, there are hundreds—often over 350 technical terms used in research—regularly deployed to describe methodologies, phenomena, or analytical techniques. These terms can serve as a shorthand that conveys detailed meaning efficiently within the scholarly community. However, jargon is distinct from general academic vocabulary; the former is highly specialised and not broadly understood outside its niche.
Why Do Academics Use Jargon?
The primary role of jargon in academic writing is precision. Scientific jargon allows experts to communicate complex ideas accurately without lengthy explanations. Jargon in research condenses highly technical information into recognisable terms, making discussions about intricate theories or methods more efficient.
So, can an academic writer use jargon? Absolutely—but with a caveat. While jargon is appropriate for specialised audiences familiar with the terminology, its value diminishes if the target readers struggle to understand it. Inappropriate or excessive jargon can alienate readers, obscure meaning, and reduce the communicative power of your research.
When Should Jargon be Used as a PhD Student
For PhD students, understanding the audience is crucial to deciding when to deploy jargon. When to use jargon as a PhD student is an essential consideration. Jargon is perfectly acceptable and often necessary when writing for or speaking to a specialised audience such as:
- Supervisors and academic peers in your field
- Journal reviewers and readers of published articles
- Conference attendees who are experts in your research area
In these contexts, jargon helps convey nuanced concepts succinctly. For example, using terms like “heteroscedasticity” or “CRISPR-Cas9” with fellow statisticians or geneticists is standard.
Moreover, using glossaries or explaining acronyms on first use is a good practice. Including a glossary section in your thesis or appendices helps clarify unfamiliar terms without disrupting the flow of your main text.
When to Avoid Using Jargon as a PhD Student
Conversely, there are many situations where jargon should be minimised or avoided. For instance:
- When communicating with interdisciplinary audiences who may not share your expertise
- Writing lay summaries, funding applications, or public engagement materials
- Teaching undergraduate students or writing for non-academic purposes
In these scenarios, jargon can confuse or frustrate readers unfamiliar with specialised language. Avoiding jargon helps you be inclusive and clear, ensuring your research reaches a broader audience and has a wider impact.
For example, when preparing for competitions like the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT), where you must distil your research into a clear, engaging presentation for a general audience, avoiding jargon is essential.
📚 If you want practical tips on how to simplify your research communication and win at 3MT, check out our detailed guide on preparing for the 3 Minute Competition.
How to Use Jargon Correctly: Dos and Don’ts (Technical Jargon Examples Included)
Do’s:
- Do define jargon on first use. Don’t leave readers guessing what a technical term means. For example, instead of writing “PCR was used,” write “Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), a method to amplify DNA, was used.” This ensures accessibility without sacrificing technical accuracy.
- Do tailor your jargon use to your audience. If you’re writing for experts in your field, terms like “allosteric regulation,” “quantum entanglement,” or “neural plasticity” are acceptable. But if your readers are interdisciplinary or generalists, consider simplifying or explaining.
- Do use glossaries or footnotes. Including a glossary at the end of your thesis or explanatory footnotes helps readers unfamiliar with specialised technical terms used in research keep up without disrupting the flow of reading.
- Do balance jargon with clear explanations. Use jargon strategically for precision but always accompany it with plain language to avoid alienating readers. For example, “The CRISPR-Cas9 system—a gene-editing technology that can precisely alter DNA sequences—has revolutionised genetics.”
- Do use acronyms correctly. Always define acronyms when introduced, e.g., “High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC)” and then use just HPLC thereafter.
- Do consult style guides and journal guidelines. Many academic journals have recommendations on jargon. Complying with these improves the chances of publication and reader comprehension.
Don’ts:
- Don’t overuse jargon unnecessarily. Overloading your writing with jargon can make your research inaccessible. For instance, avoid stringing together acronyms without explanation.
- Don’t assume your audience knows all technical terms. Even experienced researchers may not be familiar with every specialised term outside their sub-field.
- Don’t use jargon as a substitute for clear explanations. Writing “The experimental results were elucidated through chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing” is less helpful than also explaining what chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing involves.
- Don’t use jargon to impress. Using obscure terms just to sound more scholarly can alienate and confuse your readers.
- Don’t ignore feedback on language clarity. If supervisors or colleagues ask for simpler language, take it seriously—it’s likely that jargon may be hindering your communication.
Examples:
- Correct: “The phenomenon of homeostasis, where physiological systems maintain stability, was disrupted.”
- Incorrect: “Homeostatic dysregulation was noted.”
In the second example, jargon obscures meaning for those not specialised in physiology.
Reducing Jargon for Clearer Communication
For many PhD students, reducing jargon can be challenging because research concepts are inherently complex. That said, clarity should never be sacrificed if you want your work to be accessible and impactful.
Here are advanced tips to reduce jargon without losing meaning:
- Use plain language equivalents where possible. For example, say “cell death” instead of “apoptosis” when writing for less specialised audiences. You can use the term “apoptosis” later after explaining it, maintaining technical precision where needed.
- Break complex ideas into smaller chunks. Instead of a long sentence packed with technical jargon used in research—e.g., “Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman scattering, we characterised polymorphic transitions of pharmaceutical compounds”—try “We used two advanced spectroscopy methods to study how the compounds change form.”
- Explain acronyms and abbreviations in context. Avoid assuming prior knowledge; spell out acronyms at their first occurrence.
- Use metaphors and analogies to illuminate complex terms. For instance, a metaphor that likens DNA replication to a zipper that opens and closes can aid comprehension.
- Ask someone outside your field to review your writing. Non-specialists can indicate where jargon blocks understanding, helping you identify areas to simplify.
- Use visual aids wisely. Diagrams, tables, and flowcharts can break down jargon-heavy concepts more effectively than text alone.
- Avoid nominalisation (turning verbs into nouns). Instead of “The consumption of oxygen was analysed,” say “We analysed how the cells consumed oxygen.” This makes your writing more direct and easier to follow.
Adopting these strategies helps you communicate complex research clearly, improving reader engagement and comprehension without dumbing down your work. To further enhance your writing, consider focusing on clarity and conciseness in your editing process.
📚 For more in-depth strategies on how to edit your writing to make complex research ideas accessible and precise, see our guide on Editing for Clarity: Making Complex Ideas Accessible.
Best Practices for Jargon in PhD Research Writing
Striking a balance between clarity and technical depth is a hallmark of excellent PhD research writing. Here are best practices to guide your using jargon correctly:
Know Your Audience Intimately
Identifying your readers—whether experts, interdisciplinary academics, or laypersons—is essential to tailoring your jargon use. For example, supervisor reports and specialised journals expect and accept more jargon, while funding applications or public communications require minimising jargon for broader accessibility.
Use Jargon to Convey Precision, Not Complexity
Choose terms that add clarity and specificity rather than complicate your message unnecessarily. Phrases like “statistically significant” provide precision and are standard in research, whereas shorthand or overly complex terms without explanation can confuse readers.
Incorporate Glossaries, Footnotes, and Appendices
Including a well-structured glossary or appendix with definitions of technical terms used in research and acronyms greatly improves the readability of lengthy PhD theses, providing a handy reference for unfamiliar terms without interrupting the flow of the main text.
Consistently Define Acronyms Upon First Use
Always spell out acronyms at their first mention, for example, “Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM),” and then use the acronym throughout. This rule is key not only in theses but also in journal articles and presentations.
Balance Jargon with Plain Language Summaries
Many theses now include abridged summaries or lay abstracts. These sections offer an excellent space to avoid jargon and demonstrate the broader significance of your research in clear, accessible language.
Revise and Seek Feedback Focused on Jargon and Clarity
Peer reviewers, supervisors, and professional editors can help identify excessive jargon and suggest clearer alternatives, improving the overall quality of your academic writing.
Use Professional Editing Services
Engaging expert academic editors is invaluable for polishing your use of jargon. Editors can ensure your writing strikes the optimal balance between technical accuracy and clarity—crucial for final thesis submissions or manuscript preparation.
Stay Updated with Your Field’s Evolving Jargon
Disciplinary terminology evolves over time. Staying current with how your research community uses technical terms used in research and acronyms ensures your vocabulary remains relevant and understood by peers.
Adapt Your Jargon Use for Oral Communication
When presenting at conferences or public talks, modify your use of jargon in real-time. Use clear language and verbally explain specialised terms to keep your audience engaged and informed.
The Right Balance
Jargon in research writing is a powerful tool that, when used thoughtfully, enhances scholarly communication. Understanding what jargon is, when to use it, and how to balance it with clarity is vital for every academic writer.
By tailoring your language to your audience, defining terms clearly, and avoiding unnecessary complexity, you can make your research impactful and accessible. Remember the ultimate goal is to communicate your findings clearly so your work can reach, inform, and inspire both specialists and broader readers alike.
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FAQs About Using Jargon in Academic Writing
What is jargon and why is it important in academic writing?
Jargon is specialised language used within a particular field that allows precise communication of complex concepts. It is important because it facilitates efficient and accurate scholarly discussions among experts.
Can an academic writer use jargon in all contexts?
No. Jargon is suitable when addressing expert audiences but should be avoided or clearly explained when writing for non-specialist or interdisciplinary audiences.
How do I know when to avoid jargon in my PhD thesis?
Avoid jargon in sections intended for wider audiences, such as introductions, conclusions, lay summaries, or public presentations. Use jargon primarily in technical discussions.
What are some examples of technical jargon in research?
Examples include terms like “heteroscedasticity” in statistics, “CRISPR-Cas9” in genetics, “phenotype” in biology, or “Bayesian inference” in data analysis.
How can I reduce jargon without losing precision?
Simplify language where possible, define terms clearly, use analogies, and seek editing feedback from non-experts to ensure clarity.
Should I explain acronyms and terms in my papers?
Yes. Always define acronyms and technical terms when first introduced to aid reader understanding.
