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I am in the final stages of editing a lab manual that consists of 24 separate labs. Now that they are all in the same place at the same time I see that the authors were not very consistent with the way in which they handled technical terms that are new to the user. Here are some of ways in which they handled it:
(I hope the italics come through.)
1. Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to maintain internal conditions (e.g., temperature, pH, hydration).
2. Heart rate has been recognized as a vital sign-an indicator of health disease, excitement, and stress.
3. The cardiovascular system responds to exercise with an increase in heart rate resulting in a higher cardiac output (quantity of blood pumped through the heart per unit of time).
4. Major determinants of blood pressure are heart rate, amount of blood pumped with each beat (stroke volume) , and the resistance of the arterial system which is receiving the blood.
What is the right way to handle the technical terms? Any suggestions on how I can get them to be consistent throughout the manual?
Thanks in advance,
Gretchen
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Gretchen Stahmer DeMoss
Technical Publications Manager
Vernier Software & Technology
13979 SW Millikan Way
Beaverton, OR 97005-2886
www.vernier.com
phone: (503) 277-2299 or (888) 837-6437
fax: (503) 277-2440
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