On the Abuse of Abbreviations

IMES (International Medical Editing Service)

The excessive use of abbreviations is an annoyance and hindrance—not a help–to the reader. Journals often discourage the use of abbreviations. “Abbreviations should be used sparingly and only where they ease the reader’s task by reducing repetition of long technical terms. Initially use the word in full, followed by the abbreviation in parentheses. Thereafter use…

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