a/prof lisa chopin leader, ghrelin research group, ihbi lecturer in physiology, biomedical sciences
TRANSCRIPT
Writing an abstract
A/Prof Lisa ChopinLeader, Ghrelin research group, IHBI
Lecturer in physiology, Biomedical Sciences
What is an abstracta brief summary of the whole work
Not a brief introduction or a reviewA mini-thesis (UQ) – must stand alone
Important summary of your workShould be equal to your best work
Requires an investment of time and effort
Beginning of thesis or research paperConference proceedingsFrequently published
Types of abstracts - purposeTypes of abstracts
Varies with audience/purpose Thesis abstract Abstracts for journal articles Conference presentations or
posters Applying for awards/prizes Grant writing
Different guidelines
Why write a good thesis abstract?Important first impression for
examinersIdea of contribution to the field
and novel findingsGet your message across
key findings must be clear Must demonstrate a cohesive body of
work
Thesis abstract requirements @QUTQUT requirement Likely to be publically available Often read first or instead of whole thesis
QUT Summary of thesis guidelinesThe abstract summarises the main
findings and demonstrates a significant contribution to knowledge.
QUT Requirements for presenting theses Short abstract, Before table of contents
Faculty/school Guidelines, supervisor Unstructured, 3-4 pages, No references
(citations) ~1000 words, concise
Writing styleClear , accurate, brief, concise, punchy
message Limited length
Word limits can be strictCan be very difficultSummarise whole thesis
cut down to correct length
Strunk and White – Elements of Style Time 2011 – one of the 100 best and most influential books
written since 1923 in English
a sentence should contain no unnecessary words, a paragraph no unnecessary sentences...
Use of languageLanguage used does not have to be
complexSimple, economic languageAvoid long, complex sentences and
unnecessary words
In a study by Smith et al., (2003) it was discovered that the hormone, growth hormone, decreases fat mass and in another study.....
Growth hormone decreases fat mass and...
Writing style – Jargon and colloquialismsAvoid jargon
Avoid extensive use of acronyms if possible Only use acronyms and
abbreviations if very common in the field Spell out first time DNA vs SPA
Avoid colloquial language ‘after spinning down the
protein we ran the gel in our lab’
The sample was collected by centrifugation and proteins separated by electrophoresis
Abstract structureRelates to purpose and guidelines
Reflects thesis or journal article structure
Thesis abstract Divide by chapter to reflect the
structure of the thesis
Generally follows IMRaD structure Introduction Materials and methods Results And Discussion
Example: thesis abstract structureAbstract structure reflects thesis
structure General introduction Research chapter 1
Introduction, methods, results, conclusions Research chapter 2
Introduction, methods, results, conclusions Research chapter 3
Introduction, methods, results, conclusions General conclusion
Sections linked FlowOverall cohesion
Title
includes the major conclusionconciseNot vague or too complicated
Bacterial species may exist, metagenomics reveal Environmental microbiology
Avoid complex words, jargon (buzzwords)Avoid
abbreviations and acronyms Amusing, witty catch phrases
less cited -Research trends 2011 Local Pancake Defeats Axis of Evil (astrophysics)
Question marks and colons – cited less often
IntroductionProvide background information
Reader understands context experiments/study
Justification of the studyHypothesis/thesisKnowledge gaps to be addressedAim of the study
MethodsDepend on study and structure
May be brief Unless techniques are novel
May not be a separate methods section but integrated with resultsOrganised by research chapter
May includeStudy designSubjectsInterventions, tests, measurements
Outcomes measured
Statistical tests appliedMaterials used
Results• Important sectionWhat were the key
findings?What question were you
asking?Data must relate to the
research questionClear outcomes
Results Quantitative dataCorrect units
Statistics where possibleAllow meaningful
interpretation of the data
Mean, Standard deviation
P values, Tests for statistical significance
Clear comparisonsSurvey response rates
Apnoea in air produced a significant decrease in heart rate to 82.80 ± 4.15% (P < 0.001) of control and to 88.56 ± 3.55% (P < 0.01) of control with a BAC of 0.05% over 60 seconds.
Discussion/conclusionsWhat your study’s findings are and what they meanImpact in the fieldHow they could guide future
studies
Don’t overstate findingsAvoid strong claims
When to write your thesis abstractWrite it first or write it
last?Excellent exercise/tool
Distil ideasCohesive message of
thesisInform thesis writing
Final version after writing the thesisEnsure consistency
Take time
Reviewing your workRevise –early and
oftenCut unnecessary
wordsHave a break and go
back to itError free
SupervisorsAsk someone outside
the field to read for clarity
Abstracts for conferencesRequired to submit an abstract for
conference presentations and poster presentationsOften many months in advance
Can be very competitiveBasis of selection for a conference
and/or award Reviewers may read hundreds
Follow the instructions carefully May be structured or unstructured Word limit
May need to be careful regarding IP and unpublished work
Abstracts for papers/grantsFollow guidelines very
closelyJournals in field may
provide useful tips for thesis abstract Eg. JAMA
Used for assignment of reviewers
First, general impressionCan be rejected on basis
of abstract
Endocrine societyAbstract•Do not exceed 250 words •Briefly describe in complete sentences the purpose of the investigation, the methods used, the results obtained, and the principal conclusions •Do not refer to the text or references •Write the abstract with a general audience in mind
Getting started - Thesis abstract worksheetTitle: (Informative and concise)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Introduction: (What is being tested and why?)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Methods: (How was the study performed?)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Results: (What were the data?)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Conclusions: (What do the data say and what are its consequences)________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ira Blader
Generally keep it short and to the point. It is not a novelyou are writing. If you get stuck, take a break. Leave thedraft by your bedside. Sometimes a phrase just comes to you and it is a shame to lose it.
Anthony David
This article is often termed a "pearl" of science because it is brief and contains the answer to a fundamental mystery about
living organisms. Wikipedia 18/5/12
Make every word countGet your message
across in as few as possible words
Applies to all scientific writing
References Available online through QUT library
Langdorf and Hayden (2009) Turning your abstract into a paper: academic writing made simpler. Western Journal of Emergency Medicine
Andrei V. Alexandrov and Michael G. Hennerici Writing good abstracts Cerebrovasc Dis 2007;23:256–259
Sarah Huggett (2011) The value of bibliometrics Heading for success: or how not to title your paper Research trends
http://www.researchtrends.com/issue24-september-2011/heading-for-success-or-how-not-to-title-your-paper/
Monash University ‘Write the thesis’ Last update April 2009.
University of Queensland. Writing an abstract
http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/phdwriting/phlink08.html
Irene Blader Abstract Writing http://www.ouhsc.edu/gsa/documents/ABSTRACTWRITING.pdf
http://backreaction.blogspot.com.au/2006/07/stupid-title-list.html