1

Abstract Writing for Scientific Meetings

Maria Britto, MD, MPH

Fellows Rounds November 11, 2008

With thanks to Alan Jobe

Definition

Abstrahere (Latin) = abs - from

+ trahere - to draw

The essence of a larger content of material

Overview

• Why Submit an Abstract?• Scoping the Abstract• Audience/Society for Abstract• The Title• The Abstract• The Review Process

Why submit an abstract?

• Finished project - advertise to field• Finished project - discuss with colleagues prior to

publication• Unfinished project - present as work in progress• Unfinished project - anticipate more data before

presentation• Opportunity for “in training” presentation

Scoping the Abstract

• Can only make one or two major points• What data do you have?• What analyses are complete or can be

completed at least 2 weeks before the deadline?

Audience for Abstract

• Why are you submitting?

• What will you learn?

• What content/context is best for audience?

• What “section of society’ will be receptive?

Writing the Structured Abstract

• Title: Short/Informative

Animals/human; in vivo/in vitro

Type of trial• Why: Background/rationale• What: Question/hypothesis• How: Methods/study design• What Happened: Results• Punch Line: Answer question/hypothesis

Flow of Ideas in an Abstract

BackgroundBackground

Hypothesis/QuestionHypothesis/Question

TitleTitleResultsResults

AnswerAnswer

Methods/ Methods/ Study Study DesignDesign

What Makes an Abstract Easy to Read and Useful?

• Organization

• Simple language/sentences

• Structured format

• Critical data/magnitude of effects

The Title: Important!• What should be in the title?

– Type of study (RCT, cohort, etc.)– Approach (e.g. in vitro, imaging)– Species (human, rat), if important for your audience

• What should be the tone of the title?– Active and declarative– Avoid -

• Studies concerning . . .• Effects of . . .

• What should be the length of the title?– Read instructions to authors

Improving a TitleOn the Antibacterial Action of Cultures of a Penicillin, With Special Reference to Their Use in the Isolation of B. Influenzae (Alexander Fleming, Br. J. Exp. Path., 1929)

Filtrates of Penicillin are Bacteriocidal at High Dilution and Not Toxic

An Antibacterial Activity from Filtrates of Penicillin Mold

A Potent Antibacterial Activity from Filtrates of Penicillin Mold

Background

• 1 – 2 sentences• Why is the work important?• What is the gap in the literature?

Methods

• Subcomponents dependent on research methodology

• For clinical or health services project– Population– Design– Main outcomes– Data collection– Analytic approach

Results

• Be as quantitative as possible• Be sure to report on main outcomes described in

methods• Abbreviations ok• Tables and figures ok for some meetings (check

directions)

Conclusion

• 1 -2 sentences• Do not restate results• Should follow from your results• May include speculation or next step (read

abstracts from previous meetings of the same group)

The Review Process

• Who reviews?

• How do abstracts get on programs?

• Review of PAS abstracts as an example

The Review Process• Reviewers get abstracts and grading sheets on line• Grading scale -

1. Best abstracts in category/topic area

2. Excellent - outstanding

3. Very good - excellent

4. Good - solid

5. Acceptable

6. Borderline acceptability

7. Do not accept

X. Deferred - paper is from reviews lab, department, program, or institution

Ratings 1-4: Imply that he abstract is worth of presentation.

Ratings 5-6: Might still merit presentation if the literature on the topic is inconsistent or

skimpy, or if the observation is potentially provocative.

Rating 7: Implies strongly that an abstract must not be presented.

• Criteria to be considered for scoring

– Importance of topic

– Originality

– Scientific merit

– Quality of research design/data analysis

– Quality of presentation

The Review Process

• How much time will a reviewer spend grading your abstract?

A. 1 min C. 5 min

B. 3 min D. 10 min

The Review Process

A bit of reality testing

– 100 abst x 1 min = 1 hr 40 min

– 100 abst x 3 min = 5 hr

– 100 abst x 5 min = 8 hr 20 min

– 100 abst x 10 min = 16 hr 40 min

The Review Process

• To get an abstract accepted

– Have good study

– Write simply and clearly

– Have clear question

– “Telegraph” critical elements

– Have clear conclusion

The Review Process