How to write an effective journal article abstract
How to write an effective journal article abstract
Author Resources > Writing a discussion and conclusion > Writing an article abstract
The abstract quickly tells readers, peer reviewers and editors what they can expect from your article. Learn how to write a clear and concise abstract that will keep readers engaged, expedite peer review, increase searchability, and set the tone for your study.
What is an abstract?
The abstract is a short paragraph summary (word count/sentence length) of the most important information about your study. It should be a concise, standalone piece with a clear message. Some journals may require a structured abstract with specific headings; others will leave the organization up to you.
Why do I need a well-written abstract?
After the title, the abstract is the second most-read part of any research article. A strong abstract can help your manuscript move through peer review more quickly and smoothly and, if your article is accepted for publication, it is a way for readers to quickly find and evaluate your work.
What should I include in my abstract?
To ensure readers know what they can expect from your article, make sure your abstract can answer these five questions.
Why did you conduct the study?
What can you conclude from this?
Why is the study relevant or important?
What did you learn?
What methods did you use?
- Why did you conduct the study?
- Why is the study relevant or important?
- What methods did you use?
- What can you conclude from this?
- What did you learn?
How should I structure my abstract?
We recommend the following writing structure to ensure your abstract is clear, concise, and to the point.
Background
Start with a brief, two or three sentence, introduction to the research area, addressing what is currently known about your study topic.
Objectives or Aims
Clearly state the research question you are trying to answer. What is the study and why did you do it?
Methods
Explain what you did and how you did it. Include important information about your methods, but avoid the low-level specifics. Some disciplines have specific requirements for abstract methods.
- CONSORT for randomized trials.
- STROBE for observational studies
- PRISMA for systematic reviews and meta analyses
Results
Briefly give the key findings of your study. Include key numeric data (including confidence intervals or p values), where possible.
Conclusions
Tell the reader why your findings matter, and what this could mean for the ‘bigger picture’ of this area of research.
Additional writing tips
How to write an abstract
Keep it concise and to the point. Most journals have a maximum word count, so check guidelines before you write the abstract to save time editing it later.
- Write your paper first, then create the abstract as a summary.
- Check the journal requirements before you write your abstract, eg. required subheadings.
- Include keywords or phrases to help readers search for your work in indexing databases like PubMed or Google Scholar.
- Focus on key results, conclusions and take home messages.
What to avoid when writing an abstract
Avoid these common mistakes when writing a manuscript abstract. Make sure you avoid:
- Sensationalize or speculate about where the research might lead in the future.
- Use abbreviations or acronyms (unless absolutely necessary or unless they are widely known, eg. DNA).
- Repeat yourself unnecessarily, eg. “Methods: We used X technique. Results: Using X technique, we found…”
- Include citations or references.
Final thoughts
A well-written abstract quickly helps readers, editors, and peer reviewers understand what they can expect from your article. Follow our guide to learn how to write a clear and concise abstract that will help expedite peer review, keep readers engaged, increase searchability, and set the tone for your study.
Next: Finalizing your submission
How to write a compelling title
How to edit your research article
Understanding the publication process
