Writing an Abstract in the Health Sciences and Social Work

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University of Toronto
Health Sciences Writing Centre
Writing an Abstract
In the Health Sciences and Social Work

A good abstract is...

Introduction

An abstract should be a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of a document; it allows the reader to survey the contents of the document quickly and decide whether to continue reading. It is also, like a title, used by abstracting and information services to index and retrieve articles.

An abstract should represent as much as possible of the quantitative and qualitative information in your paper, and also reflect its reasoning. Typically, an abstract answers these questions in about 100-250 words:

Purpose: What is the nature of your study/topic and why did you do it?
Methods: What did you do, and how?
Results: What did you find?
Conclusions:What can you logically conclude through the analysis of your data?
Relevance: How do your findings relate to the practice of your field?

The abstract needs to be dense with information but also readable, well-organized, brief, and self-contained. Your readers expect you to summarize your conclusions as well as your purpose, methods, and main findings. Emphasize the different points in proportion to the emphasis they receive in the body of your paper.

1. A good abstract is accurate:

it correctly reflects the purpose and content of your paper
it includes only information that actually appears in the paper
if you're doing a study, states whether it extends or replicates previous research

Comparing your abstract with the outline of the paper's headings is a good way to verify your accuracy.

2. A good abstract is self-contained:

You can't ask your reader to go elsewhere for understanding of what you say in your abstract. Therefore,

define all abbreviations (except units of measurement) and acronyms
spell out names of tests and drugs (use generic names for drugs)
define unique terms

3. A good abstract is concise and specific:

make each sentence as informative as possible, especially the lead sentence
begin with the most important information; i.e., the purpose or thesis, or perhaps the results and conclusions
- the abstract should not waste space with promises...
  This study will examine pain control at Hospital X.
  (weak -- a vague promise)
- ...the abstract should deliver.
  Of the caregivers at Hospital X, 53% actively encouraged epidurals for patients who were "hostile or extremely resistant" to artificial pain control.
  (good -- but only if this detail is one of the most significant finds)
don't waste space by repeating the title
include in the abstract only the four or five most important concepts, findings, or implications
conserve characters:
- use digits for numbers unless the number begins a sentence
- abbreviate whenever possible (e.g., vs. for versus)
- use active voice (but avoid personal pronouns I or we)

4. A good abstract is non-evaluative:

report rather than evaluate
don't add to or comment on what is in the body of the paper

5. A good abstract is coherent and readable:

write in clear and vigorous prose
use key words from your paper
use active rather than passive voice (the study tested vs. it was tested by the study)
use present tense to describe results that are still applicable, or conclusions drawn; also for the question and answer
use past tense to describe what was done and what was found
use a cautious present tense verb for implications (e.g., "may mediate")
avoid sentences that contain no real information (e.g., "Policy implications are discussed")
write short sentences
use simple words; avoid jargon

Sources:

M. Procter, Coordinator, Writing Support, U of T; J. Hunter, Dept. of Physical Therapy, U of T; International Organization for Standardization, ISO 214: 1976; Publication manual of the American Psychological Association. (1994). Fourth Edition.

Original version, October 1997
Prepared by Dr. D. Taylor and J. B. Rose
HTML edition by Dennis G. Jerz

For Distribution at the University of Toronto

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