{"id":56128,"date":"2021-02-22T00:00:59","date_gmt":"2021-02-22T08:00:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/world.edu\/?p=56128"},"modified":"2021-02-22T00:14:27","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T08:14:27","slug":"use-a-structured-abstract-to-help-write-and-revise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/world.edu\/use-a-structured-abstract-to-help-write-and-revise\/","title":{"rendered":"Use a structured abstract to help write and revise"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Most journals don\u2019t expect an abstract to be written in a particular format. But some do. They require writers to follow a particular format \u2013 a pre-structured template. These templates \u2013 structured abstracts as they are called \u2013 are specifically designed to focus on the key points in a paper. These abstracts are designed for readers. Readers can check out important aspects of the paper before they decide to read on, or not.<\/p>\n

However, templates are also useful for writers, particularly to assist in the thinking process. Structured abstracts force writers to decide on and state, in relatively few sentences, key features of their paper. Often, the structured abstract demands writers pay attention to the textual features which they can easily gloss over, or fudge.<\/p>\n

So, how can you use a structured abstract as part of your writing process? Well, you can use a structured abstract to kick off your writing, or as a way to organise your revision. You can also use a structured abstract as a final check \u2013 have you included everything in the paper and emphasised key points sufficiently? And even if the structured abstract is not your final actual abstract, the exercise of writing short, and to different formats, can help you to get clear on some very important aspects of academic argument.<\/p>\n

Some structured abstracts follow a pretty conventional format \u2013 Objective, Methods, Results and Conclusion \u2013 or a variation on this. But even though this format is pretty familiar, it can still be very helpful to write a one sentence objective for a paper.<\/p>\n

Getting clear on your objective \u2013 what you hope the paper does \u2013 can be challenging. Is it good enough to explore or investigate for example? Should your paper do something else instead \u2013 clarify, evidence, challenge, verify, reveal, develop, review, theorise, interrogate evaluate, assess, document, voice\u2026 ? Writing an objective can help you get rid of some of all-encompassing and vague verbs and hone in on exactly what\u00a0you<\/em>\u00a0are trying to do.<\/p>\n

One common variation on the OMRC abstract is to substitute Background for Objective. In Background, writers are expected to situate their study in a specific context \u2013 policy, practice or research \u2013 and justify their reason for writing the paper. Simply identifying a gap isn\u2019t sufficient for Background \u2013 you have to tell the reader why the gap matters and how.<\/p>\n

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Abstract from\u00a0Dentistry and Medical Research<\/em>\u00a0journal<\/p>\n

As an aide for writing, I rather like the structured abstract required by most Emerald journals. Emerald demands that authors write a 250 word abstract \u2013 the\u00a0generic journal abstract instructions<\/a>\u00a0say:<\/p>\n

All submissions must include a structured abstract, following the format outlined below.<\/em><\/p>\n

These four sub-headings and their accompanying explanations must always be included:<\/em><\/p>\n