An exploratory study of epistemic stance in results and discussion sections of medical research articles

This study is a corpus-based investigation of how epistemic stance signaled in medical discourse. In particular, we compiled discipline-specific corpus research articles from different fields medicine ranging anatomy to endocrinology explore particular resources are employed by authors index their level (un)certainty towards propositions. The the contained only results and discussion sections 100 published articles, totaling approximately 215,000 words. analyses showed that there was very frequent use modal auxiliaries writers field express extra-propositional modality. It also found researchers did not employ greater number boosters amplify commitment propositions conveyed readers. However, rhetorical uses were shown be strategic portray higher confidence for sake credibility interaction. findings implications discussed with focus on teaching writing as part English academic purposes.