Writing Effective Abstracts Thanks to Carolina Livi and Bill Hendricson of the UTHSCSA for original materials

Activity Write 200 to 300 word abstract based on Lab 3: Introduce specific questions based on your sleep diary data Describe method(s) you used to address question. Prepare a conclusion drawn from previously reported information or by comparison with other datasets Summarize main finding related to original question The remainder of this presentation goes through how to write an abstract and gives a template based on the 6 key questions with examples.

1.What is the unknown (GAP in knowledge) or the issue addressed? 2.Why is this unknown, problem or issue important? Why should I care (the GRAB)? 3.Why was this abstract written (the GET)? 4.What methods were used (the HOW)? (What did you do? When did you do it? Where did you do it? Who were the subjects? What were your outcome measures? How did you collect these data?) 5.What findings/outcomes were obtained (the WHAT)? 6.What conclusions can be drawn (the ANSWER)? Six questions to answer

10 sentence Abstract [250 words] words each Abstract template

What is the unknown, problem or issue addressed in this paper? GAP? 1st sentence

Example “GAP” sentence: Major depressive disorder is present in a high percentage of diabetic patients, and is associated with poor treatment adherence, but it is not known if depression treatment improves metabolic control in diabetic patients.

Abstract template Why is this unknown, problem or issue important? Why should readers care? GRAB 2 nd sentence

Example “GRAB” sentence: One in three people with diabetes has depression at a level that impairs functioning and quality of life, adherence to medical treatment, and glycemic control.

What will readers GET if they read this study? GET 3 rd sentence Abstract template

Example “GET” sentence: This paper reports a study that compared glycemic control in diabetic patients before and after participation in a therapeutic program designed to alleviate depression.

METHODS 2 - 4sentences Study population (who) Settings (where) Intervention (what was done?) Outcome measures Abstract template What were the methods used to perform the study?

Example “METHODOLOGY” sentences: 156 outpatients treated at primary care clinics in Denver for acute maxillary sinusitis were randomly assigned to receive oral clarithromycin (500 mg twice daily) or oral Amoxicillin (500 mg three times daily) for 14 days. Clinical and radiographic responses to antibiotics were evaluated 48 hours after the final dose and six weeks later. 2 sentences; 54 words

Abstract template What results were obtained? RESULTS sentences

Twenty-seven percent of patients with Raynaud’s disease had migraine with aura versus 5% of controls (p  0.001). Among patients with Raynaud’s, 34% had migraine without aura compared to 17% of controls (p  0.008). 2 sentences; 30 words Example “RESULTS” sentences:

State answer to research question or hypothesis Abstract template CONCLUSIONS 2 - 4sentences

Migraine with and without aura were both significantly more common in patients with Raynaud’s disease than controls suggesting an interaction deserving further exploration. 1 sentence; 23 words Example “CONCLUSION” sentences:

Example of an AbstractExample of an Abstract Title: Computer Use and Carpal Tunnel Syndrome [10 sentences / 229 words]

Whatistheunknown? [1stsentence ] Keyboard and mouse use has been proposed as an etiology for the 32% increase in carpel tunnel syndrome (CTS) since 1998, but there is no evidence that repetitive hand-finger movement impairs nerve function. GAP sentence:33 words

Whyisthisissueimportant? [2ndsentence ] If repetitive finger-hand motions during computer use contributes to CTS, hand positioning and keyboarding devices will need modification. GRAB: 19 words

What will readers GET from this paper? [3rdsentence] This study answered two questions: (1) what is the prevalence of CTS and (2) is use of mouse devices and keyboards associated with CTS? GET: 24 words

How did you conduct the study? [4 th Sentence] We administered mailed questionnaires in 2001 at 3500 workplaces in Denmark, followed by telephone interviews with 750 randomly selected survey responders about symptoms and frequency. One sentence/ 24 words

Who werethesubjects? [Sentences 5 & 6] The survey was mailed to 9480 draftsmen and machine technicians, with a response rate of 73% (n = 6943). 11% of the subjects completed follow-up telephone interviews. Two sentences / 25 words

What data did you collect? [7 th sentence] We evaluated respondents’ perceptions of the frequency of tingling or numbness in the right hand, tingling or numbness in the right hand median nerve, and night symptoms in the right hand median nerve. One sentence / 33 words

What were the findings? [Sentences 8& 9] The prevalence of right hand tingling/numbness was 11%; 5% of subjects experienced symptoms in the median nerve and 2% experienced night symptoms. More than 20 hours per weekof mouse use was significantly associated with CTS, but therewas no association between keyboard use and CTS. Two sentences / 46 words

Conclusion: Theanswer to the question [10 th sentence] The occurrence of CTS in the right hand waslow, but 20 hours weekly of mouse use may pose an occupational hazard for CTS. One sentence: 24 words