Transcript How to write an abstract

How to write an article:
Abstract and Title
Prof. Nikos Siafakas MD.PhD.
University of Crete
Definition
An abstract is a synopsis of a longer piece of work which is
published in isolation from the main text and should therefore
stand on its own
How to Write an Abstract. [Online] [cited 2010 Apr 20]; Available from: URL: http://info.emeraldinsight.com/authors/guides/abstracts.htm?
Why do we have to write an abstract?
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Most people will read only the abstract including the EDITORS
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Due to electronic database information processing, the abstract
represents the “selling part” of an article
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Abstract will be often the only part of an article that is
accessible in the electronic libraries (US National Library of
Medicine Pubmed)
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Abstract helps readers to decide whether to read the full paper
and EDITORS to send it for review.
Title of a scientific paper
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The title represents the first point of contact
between the authors and the READERS and the
EDITOR, REVIEWERS
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The title and the abstract are often the only
available components within electronic journal
databases
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It represents the last thing to be finalized before
submission
Simple rules for creating a title
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“Readability”: by reading the title, the subject of the research
should became immediately apparent
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Avoid too many information in a sentence
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Avoid conclusions
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A question as a title is usually accepted when authors deal with
controversial topics
Lilleyman JS. How to write a scientific paper – a rough guide to getting published. Arch
Dis Child. 1995; 72(3):268-70
What do we have to report?
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An abstract must give an answer to the
following questions:
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Why it was the study carried out?
How was done?
What was found?
What was concluded?
Driscoll P. How to write a paper. J Accid Emerg Med. 1997; 14(2):65-9
Style of an abstract
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Brevity (brief, clear prose is easy to read but
very hard to write)
Avoid vague and vogue words
Use short, concrete, Anglo-Saxon wording
Modesty is a main element of somebody’s
written work
Paton A. Writing and Speaking in Medicine. How I write a paper. BMJ. 1976; 2(6044): 1115-6
David A. Write a Classic Paper. BMJ. 1990; 300(6716): 30-1
Necessary quality elements
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Limited text (around 250 words)
Easy to read
Provides the most important information
Contains 4 sections
– Introduction
– Methods
– Results
– Conclusion
Introduction
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Consists of 1-2 sentences that:
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–
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Introduces the topic of a research and why it is
important
Describes the aim by ‘reflecting’ the research
question
It should not repeat the already available
information in the title
Methods
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Type of study
Place
Sample
Criteria
Techniques
Statistical analysis
Results & Conclusion
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Results should describe shortly the main
findings
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Include ONLY data or numbers to
support/validate the Conclusions
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In the Conclusion micro/macro
implications can be included
All parts of the Abstract
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Additionally :
– Use short and succinct phrases
– Avoid overuse of technical terms &
abbreviations
– Adopt a laconic language style
CONSORT for abstracts (Consolidated
Standards of Reporting Trials)
A structured summary of trial design, methods, results, and conclusions
Trial design
Methods
Participants
Interventions
Objective
Outcome
Randomisation
Blinding (masking)
Results
Conclusions
Numbers randomised
Recruitment
Numbers analysed
Outcome (estimated effect size)
Harms
Trial Registration
Funding
Schultz KF, Altman DG, Moher D. CONSORT 2010 Statement: Updated Guidelines for Reporting Parallel Group Randomized Trials.
Ann Inter Med. 2010; 152(11): 1-8
READ CARREFULY THE INSTRUCTIONS
Journals have developed their own structure
and word count for abstracts :NEJM
Case report abstracts
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Often there is no structure
Lower limit of words (around 150 words)
It should include what is the most important
information to gain after reading this case
report
Stephen N. Palmer. How to Write an Abstract. [Online] 2008 [cited 2010 Apr 20]; Available from:
URL:http://www.texasheart.org/AboutUs/Depart/upload/Write-an-abstract.pdf
Common mistakes(1)
Too much (or too little) background with
not clear aim
 Limited methods information
 Unfocused presentation of the findings
 Conclusion not consistent with the
results
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Journal of Young Investigators. JYI's Guide to Writing Scientific Manuscripts. [Online] 2008 [cited 2010 Apr
20] Available from: URL:http://www.jyi.org/resources/rs.php?id=320
Common mistakes (2)
 Referencing
 Lack
of originality
 Inclusion of details not directly
relevant to the study
 No effort spent to revise
Keywords
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Identify keywords/search terms
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Useful for electronic taxonomy
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Authors reflection on the essential
terms of their research work
Conclusions
Write concisely and clearly
 Include only essential information
 Emphasize the research question and
the type of intervention
 Summarize your main findings and
highlight the new contribution in the
field
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