Handbook of Biomedical Research Writing: the Journal Article Abstract 5.1 Comparison of Abstracts and Journal Articles 5.2 the Structure and Content of Abstracts 5.2.1 Structured Abstracts Conclusion Purpose Results General 5.2.2 Unstructured Abstracts

Article Audience: People searching in the library. People doing similar research read and sometimes cite the paper. Audience: People reading abstract collections. Graduate students may be required to read the paper in survey courses. Audience: All article readers. Only a few practitioners read the whole paper. Audience: Almost all readers only read the abstract (anecdotal estimate 95%). Relatively few people read some or all of the article (anecdotal estimate 5%). Purpose 1: Summarize the article. Purpose: Participate in the academic community. Purpose 2: “Sell” your paper. Read first Almost always read after the abstract Written last Almost always written before the final draft of the abstract Short word limit Longer word limit May be translated into several languages Is normally written in one language Reader may have knowledge of the background of and justification for your study Reader should learn the background of and justification for your study from the text Reader should be able to understand your main findings Reader should learn the details, limits, and implications of your results Knowledgeable reader can understand the basics, but not critique or replicate your study (exception: clinical medicine) Reader should be able to understand, critique, and replicate your study Agree on all details Use the same writing style, formality Both must meet the requirements of the journal guidelines Each can be read independently of the other text Follow the same structure