Writing a WINning Abstract

Martha J Lentz

Research Professor

School of Nursing

University of Washington

Supported byUW Office for Nursing Research

NINR 2 P30 NR04001

1

Directions Are There for a Reason

Read the directions

Believe the directions

Follow the directions

2

What kinds of abstracts are accepted?

• Completed Research Data Only

• Theory

• Projects

• Partially Completed Research/Projects

3

How much space is allowed?

• Use it all

• Don’t run over

4

Focus your abstract

5

Think New

Organizing the abstract

• Make it easy for the reviewer

• If section titles are suggested use them

• Or make clear sections

• Be specific be succinct

6

Avoid the ball without any breaks or apparent organization.

7

Abstract Sections

• Background

• Purpose

• Sample

• Methods

• Results

• Implications

8

Background

• Choose small part of the study

• 2-3 sentences

• Remember people want new

9

Purpose

• A clear statement of what to expect

• One sentence

• Saves space to make last sentence of background

10

Sample

• Who

• From where

• How many

• How did they get in your study

• Demographic characteristics

11

Methods

• Be specific what was done

• Don’t try and convince reader it was the right method

12

Results

• Give real data

• Concepts

• Numbers

13

Implications

• Be realistic

• Be specific

• More research, but of course

14