The readability of scientific texts is decreasing over time

Abstract

Clarity and accuracy of reporting are fundamental to the scientific process. Readability formulas can estimate how difficult a text is to read. Here, in a corpus consisting of 709,577 abstracts published between 1881 and 2015 from 123 scientific journals, we show that the readability of science is steadily decreasing. Our analyses show that this trend is indicative of a growing use of general scientific jargon. These results are concerning for scientists and for the wider public, as they impact both the reproducibility and accessibility of research findings.

Can we make physiological research better?

“…Recently, Pontus Plavén‐Sigray and his co‐workers had a close look at 709,577 abstracts published between 1881 and 2015 from 123 scientific journals. In this text, readability decreased steadily over time, while the use of general scientific jargon increased continuously …”

“…As the authors point out, clarity and accuracy of reporting are fundamental to the scientific process and should not be separated from data acquisition and analysis.…”

Reproducibility and the future of MRI research

“…Kilimanjaro . As the paper mountain continues to grow, the general readability of papers inevitably decreases due to the use of jargon and the specialization and subspecialization of journals . This adversely affects the accessibility and reproducibility of research findings.…”

Science communication in online media: influence of press releases on coverage of genetics and CRISPR

“…The primary source of scientific newspeer-reviewed publication -is rarely comprehensible without sufficient expertise. Moreover, readability of publications decreases over time (Plavén-Sigray et al, 2017) and subjects of publications become more specialized (Casadevall and Fang, 2014). In consequence, journalists rely on dissemination of science by scientists themselves or by specialized teams at involved institutions.…”