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