How to write an article: Abstract and Title - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

1 / 19
About This Presentation
Title:

How to write an article: Abstract and Title

Description:

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 ... – PowerPoint PPT presentation

Number of Views:423
Avg rating:3.0/5.0
Slides: 20
Provided by: orgt55
Category:

less

Transcript and Presenter's Notes

Title: How to write an article: Abstract and Title


1
How to write an article Abstract and Title
  • Prof. Nikos Siafakas MD.PhD.
  • University of Crete

2
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.emeraldi
nsight.com/authors/guides/abstracts.htm?
3
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.

4
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/jour
    nals_publications/ecp/mayjun99/welch.htm

5
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

6
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

7
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 somebodys 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

8
Necessary quality elements
  • Limited text (around 250 words)
  • Easy to read
  • Provides the most important information
  • Contains 4 sections
  • Introduction
  • Methods
  • Results
  • Conclusion

9
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

10
Methods
  • Type of study
  • Place
  • Sample
  • Criteria
  • Techniques
  • Statistical analysis

11
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

12
All parts of the Abstract
  • Additionally
  • Use short and succinct phrases
  • Avoid overuse of technical terms abbreviations
  • Adopt a laconic language style

13
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 Recruitment
  • Objective Numbers
    analysed
  • Outcome Outcome
    (estimated effect size)
  • Randomisation Harms
  • Blinding (masking)
  • Trial Registration
  • Funding

14

READ CARREFULY THE INSTRUCTIONS
  • Journals have developed their own structure and
    word count for abstracts NEJM

15
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 URLhttp//www.texasheart.org/AboutUs/Depar
    t/upload/Write-an-abstract.pdf

16
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
  • Journal of Young Investigators. JYI's Guide to
    Writing Scientific Manuscripts. Online 2008
    cited 2010 Apr 20 Available from
    URLhttp//www.jyi.org/resources/rs.php?id320

17
Common mistakes (2)
  • Referencing
  • Lack of originality
  • Inclusion of details not directly relevant to the
    study
  • No effort spent to revise

18
Keywords
  • Identify keywords/search terms
  • Useful for electronic taxonomy
  • Authors reflection on the essential terms of
    their research work

19
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
Write a Comment
User Comments (0)
About PowerShow.com