Short answer: scientific papers use jargon because specialised fields need precise terms. The problem begins when jargon hides simple ideas, excludes readers unnecessarily, or makes weak thinking sound technical.
Every expert field develops shorthand. A single technical term can carry a meaning that would otherwise take a paragraph to explain. In genetics, statistics, chemistry, philosophy, medicine, and engineering, precision matters. Jargon can prevent ambiguity when readers share the same background.
Why jargon is useful
Good jargon is efficient. It lets researchers speak accurately about complex ideas. Terms such as “randomization,” “confidence interval,” “allele,” or “ethnography” are not decorative. They point to specific concepts, methods, or objects. Removing them can make writing less accurate.
Scientific papers are also written mainly for other specialists. Their first job is not always public explanation. A paper must describe methods and results in enough detail for expert readers to evaluate them.
When jargon becomes a problem
Jargon becomes harmful when it substitutes for clarity. Some academic writing is difficult because the subject is difficult. Some is difficult because the writing is bad. Dense language can make ordinary claims sound deeper than they are. It can also make public trust worse by creating the impression that science is intentionally closed.
For readers, the best approach is to identify which terms are essential and which are merely stylistic fog. A good scientific explanation should become clearer as terms are defined. If the argument remains vague after the jargon is translated, the problem may be the argument, not the reader.