Download - How to write an article : Abstract and Title Prof. Nikos Siafakas MD.PhD. University of Crete
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?
Most people will read only the abstract including the EDITORS
Due to electronic database information processing, the abstract represents the “selling part” of an article
Abstract will be often the only part of an article that is accessible in the electronic libraries (US National Library of Medicine Pubmed)
Abstract helps readers to decide whether to read the full paper and EDITORS to send it for review.
Title of a scientific paper
The title represents the first point of contact between the authors and the READERS and the EDITOR, REVIEWERS
The title and the abstract are often the only available components within electronic journal databases
It represents the last thing to be finalized before submission
Rosenfeldt FL, Dowling JT, Pepe S, Fullerton MJ. How to write a Paper. Heart Lung Circ. 2000; 9(2):82-7 Gilbert Welch H. Preparing Manuscripts for Submission to Medical Journals: The paper trail. Effective Clinical Practice [Online] 1999 [cited 2010 Apr 20]; Available from: URL: http://www.acponline.org/clinical_information/journals_publications/ecp/mayjun99/welch.htm
Simple rules for creating a title
“Readability”: by reading the title, the subject of the research should became immediately apparent
Avoid too many information in a sentence
Avoid conclusions
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?
An abstract must give an answer to the following questions:– 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
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
Limited text (around 250 words) Easy to read Provides the most important information Contains 4 sections
– Introduction– Methods– Results– Conclusion
Introduction
Consists of 1-2 sentences that: – 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
Type of study Place Sample Criteria Techniques Statistical analysis
Results & Conclusion
Results should describe shortly the main findings
Include ONLY data or numbers to support/validate the Conclusions
In the Conclusion micro/macro implications can be included
All parts of the Abstract
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 Results Conclusions Participants Numbers randomised
Interventions RecruitmentObjective Numbers analysedOutcome Outcome (estimated effect size) Randomisation HarmsBlinding (masking)
Trial RegistrationFunding
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
Journals have developed their own structure and word count for abstracts :NEJM
READ CARREFULY THE INSTRUCTIONS
Case report abstracts
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 informationUnfocused presentation of the findings Conclusion not consistent with the
results
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 studyNo effort spent to revise
Keywords
Identify keywords/search terms
Useful for electronic taxonomy
Authors reflection on the essential terms of their research work
Conclusions
Write concisely and clearly Include only essential informationEmphasize the research question and
the type of interventionSummarize your main findings and
highlight the new contribution in the field