In the world of academic writing, objectivity is one of the most essential elements. A scientific paper is expected to present facts, data, and conclusions that are not influenced by the writer’s personal opinions, feelings, or bias. That is why it is often emphasized that a scientific work, or karya ilmiah, must be impersonal. This impersonal nature ensures that the content can be evaluated and verified based on logic and empirical evidence rather than on subjective judgment. Writers must detach themselves from the content to ensure clarity, neutrality, and credibility.
Understanding the Concept of Impersonal Scientific Writing
Definition and Purpose
Scientific writing is designed to convey complex information in a structured, accurate, and reliable way. The term ‘impersonal’ means that the writing avoids using first-person pronouns like ‘I’ or ‘we’ and steers clear of personal anecdotes. The goal is to allow the ideas, research, and results to speak for themselves without being overshadowed by the author’s presence.
Why Impersonality Matters
The impersonal tone in a scientific paper helps maintain academic integrity. It allows other researchers to replicate the work, trust the findings, and understand the methodology without questioning the writer’s intentions. Impersonal writing also reflects professionalism and adherence to scholarly conventions.
Characteristics of Impersonal Scientific Writing
Use of Passive Voice
One of the most common features of impersonal academic writing is the use of passive voice. Instead of saying, ‘We measured the temperature,’ a scientific writer would say, ‘The temperature was measured.’ This shifts focus from the researcher to the action and result.
Formal Tone and Language
Scientific texts avoid casual or emotional language. The tone must remain formal, even when discussing interesting or groundbreaking results. Words should be carefully chosen for precision and clarity.
Third-Person Perspective
Most scientific papers are written from a third-person point of view. Referring to the writer or readers using ‘I,’ ‘you,’ or ‘we’ is discouraged. Instead, phrases like this study or the researchers are preferred.
Focus on Evidence and Data
Facts, statistics, observations, and proven theories form the backbone of scientific writing. Instead of expressing personal beliefs, writers must support claims with valid data or references from credible sources.
Examples of Impersonal Language
- Instead of: I found that the solution turned blue.
- Use: The solution turned blue.
- Instead of: We believe this method is effective.
- Use: This method has shown to be effective based on the data.
- Instead of: You can see the change in the graph.
- Use: The graph shows a noticeable change.
The Role of Impersonality in Research Integrity
Reducing Bias
By maintaining an impersonal tone, authors minimize the risk of introducing bias. Readers are not influenced by who the author is or what they think, but rather by the strength of the evidence presented.
Ensuring Reproducibility
Scientific findings must be reproducible. When the personal voice is removed, procedures and results can be more easily repeated and verified by others in the scientific community.
Encouraging Objectivity
An impersonal style promotes objectivity. The focus is on the research, not on the researcher. This strengthens the reliability of the findings and conclusions drawn.
How to Develop Impersonal Writing Skills
Practice Rewriting Sentences
Writers can develop impersonal writing skills by practicing how to revise personal or opinionated sentences into objective statements. This includes converting active to passive voice and eliminating personal pronouns.
Use Templates and Academic Phrases
Many scientific phrases help keep writing impersonal. Phrases like It is observed that…, Results indicate…, or This study demonstrates… are commonly used in academic works.
Read Scientific Literature
Exposure to well-written scientific papers can help writers learn the tone and structure of impersonal writing. Observing how professionals build arguments, present data, and discuss results can be highly instructive.
Challenges in Maintaining an Impersonal Tone
Natural Tendency to Use Personal Language
Many writers, especially beginners, find it difficult to suppress the urge to speak in the first person. Since everyday communication is personal, switching to an impersonal mode can feel unnatural at first.
Balancing Clarity and Formality
Sometimes, being too impersonal can make the writing stiff or hard to understand. Writers must balance clarity and formality to ensure that the content is accessible without sacrificing academic tone.
The Value of Impersonality in Scientific Work
Writing in an impersonal tone is a cornerstone of effective scientific communication. It ensures that ideas are presented clearly, objectively, and professionally. This impersonal approach allows the research to be evaluated on its merit, not on the personality of the writer. For students, researchers, and academics, mastering this style of writing is essential for producing credible and respected scientific work. While it may require practice and discipline, the benefits of impersonal writing in terms of trust, clarity, and academic acceptance are well worth the effort.