How to write an article: Abstract and Title

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How to write an article Abstract and Title

• Prof. Nikos Siafakas MD.PhD.
• University of Crete

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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?
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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Necessary quality elements

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

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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

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Methods

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

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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

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All parts of the Abstract

• Additionally
• Use short and succinct phrases
• Avoid overuse of technical terms abbreviations
• Adopt a laconic language style

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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

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READ CARREFULY THE INSTRUCTIONS

• Journals have developed their own structure and
  word count for abstracts NEJM

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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

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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

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Common mistakes (2)

• Referencing
• Lack of originality
• Inclusion of details not directly relevant to the
  study
• No effort spent to revise

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Keywords

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

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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