Basic information

What does the original article contain?

Part

Tell me …

Content

quickly

 

Summarize the study design, results
and conclusions

Introduction

why

Describe the need for
 the data/research

Aim

what

State the study purpose

Method and Materials

how

Describe the study materials,
study period and study design

Results

facts

Describe the data collected
and analysis done

Discussion

what the authors think

Interpret the study results
and provide conclusions

References

background

List related articles
and sources of information


Our definition of an abstract:

A brief written piece of formal text, highlighting the main points of a scholarly communication (such as an article, a thesis, a talk, a poster, etc.). It is written in a coherent form and allows a reader to have an insight into the content of the academic work.

Purpose:

  • to inform readers about what they can find in the article: the main ideas, methodology, results, the background of the author`s/authors' study
  • to help readers make a decision whether to read an article or not
  • to attract readers to our research
  • to have our paper/poster accepted by the reviewers and the editorial board

     

Features:

  • a short, condensed piece of written text (as short as possible but within a word limit)
  • written in neutral/formal language with phrases typical for abstracts
  • often consists of generally accepted/customary parts
  • clearly and logically structured
  • attractive but factual and informative
  • should intrigue its readers

     

Typical parts (not all of them always present):

  • Background
  • Purpose
  • Method and Materials
  • Results
  • Discussion
  • Conclusions
  • Bibliography/References