Tip of the Trade: Is it okay to use ‘we’ or ‘I’ when writing for academic audiences?
During the TAA webinar, “Principles of Effective Scientific Writing,” Kristin Sainani, associate professor with health research and policy at Stanford University, said that she often gets asked the question: “Is it okay to use ‘we’ or ‘I’ when I’m writing for academic or scientific audiences?”
She said actually, yes, it is: “Editors will encourage you to use ‘we’ or ‘I’ so that you can use the active voice. I think it’s actually a good thing to use ‘we’ and ‘I’ because you are the author taking responsibility for the work that you’ve done and the interpretation you have.”
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