The past tense is used for things that have already happened. He was sticky. The present tense is used when something is happening now or when something happens regularly. He is sticky.

writers usually use the past tense close past tenseA verb tense expressing an action that has happened, or a previous state. or the present tense. close present tenseA verb tense expressing an ...

One’s tense will vary depending on what one is trying to convey within their paper or section of their paper. For example, the tense may change between the methods section and the discussion section.