2008 Network for a Healthy California Annual Social Marketing Conference

Tips for Writing an Abstract

What is an abstract?

An abstract is a concise and accurate summary of a larger work which may include a thesis or research document, a journal publication, or a report about the impact of a program or project. Reading an abstract is like reading a mini-essay in structure with an introduction, body, and conclusion.

Why should I submit an abstract?

An abstract can assist others who may not be familiar with your subject area to understand the purpose and value of your project or program. Your experiences, methods and cautions may enable others to achieve similar successes.

How do I write good objectives?

Learning objectives should describe, in measurable terms using a behavioral verb, what participants will be able to do, or what they will learn, from the session or presentation. The learning objectives should provide a clear focus for your session. Objectives should be concise and specific, and should adequately define the level of your presentation.

Level one (recall) focuses on knowledge and comprehension.
Level two is directed on interpreting the material presented.
Level three centers on problem solving. Generally speaking, knowledge and comprehension encompass the cognitive processes of remembering and explaining. Application and analysis involve using knowledge to find solutions or breaking a whole into component parts. Synthesis and evaluation involve the creation of a new concept or judgment ability.

WORDS NOT TO USE:

Understand, Know, Assess, Include, Specify

Some verbs may be applicable within more than one category. An example of a measurable behavioral objective is: “Attendees will be able to: describe the process used in developing this new nutrition education resource and one aspect of the development process that contributed to meeting the expressed needs of the target audience.”

Level 1: Recall	Level 1: Recall	Level 2: Interpretation	Level 2: Interpretation	Level 3: Problem Solving	Level 3: Problem Solving
Cite	Arrange	Adapt	Analyze	Arrange	Appraise
Choose	Associate	Apply	Appraise	Assemble	Approve
Define	Clarify	Catalogue	Audit	Build	Choose
Label	Classify	Chart	Break down	Combine	Conclude
List	Convert	Compute	Calculate	Compile	Confirm
Locate	Describe	Consolidate	Categorize	Compose	Criticize
Match	Diagram	Demonstrate	Certify	Conceive	Critique
Name	Draw	Develop	Compare	Construct	Diagnose
Recall	Discuss	Employ	Contrast	Create	Evaluate
Recognize	Estimate	Extend	Correlate	Design	Judge
Record	Explain	Extrapolate	Criticize	Devise	Justify
Repeat	Express	Generalize	Deduce	Discover	Prioritize
Select	Identify	Illustrate	Defend	Draft	Prove
State	Locate	Infer	Diagram	Formulate	Rank
Write	Outline	Interpolate	Differentiate	Generate	Rate
	Paraphrase	Modify	Distinguish	Make	Recommend
	Report	Manipulate	Discriminate	Integrate	Research
	Restate	Order	Examine	Manage	Resolve
	Review	Predict	Infer	Organize	Revise
	Sort	Prepare	Inspect	Plan	Rule on
	Summarize	Relate	Investigate	Predict	Select
	Transfer	Sketch	Question	Prepare	Support
	Translate	Submit	Reason	Propose	Validate
		Tabulate	Separate	Reorder
		Transcribe	Solve	Reorganize
		Use	Survey	Set-up
		Utilize	Test	Structure
			Uncover	Synthesize
			Verify

(Adapted from the PACE® guidelines for writing objectives; permission granted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, DHHS)

What are the characteristics of a good abstract?

Include a background sentence, the purpose, methods, results, conclusions, and significance/application of your study or program by responding to these questions:
- Why was the study or program conducted; what was the purpose of addressing this topic?
- What did you do? How did you do it? Who participated? How many participated? What materials were used? What evaluation methods were used?
- What happened? What did you find?
- What did you conclude through analyzing the study results or the process of the program?
- What difference did your study or program make? How is this relevant to your field? How can your findings be applied?
- Is there anything you would you have done differently? How might this have changed your outcome?
Present your information in a logical sequence with transition between the purpose, methods, results, conclusions; and significance/application. Insure that the information can be comprehended by a non-expert; it is easy to read.
- Sentences should be short and complete (but the abstract should not appear choppy).
- Give information only once and eliminate unnecessary information.
- Don’t repeat the title in the first sentence of your abstract.
- Use simple words: define abbreviations and acronyms, avoid terms only used in your organization or field (jargon).
- Describe what was done in past tense (was, were, etc.). Present tense (is) should be used if results/conclusion remains applicable.
A good abstract never adds new information from what is covered in the study/project nor provides editorial comments.
Proof your abstract several times.
- Check for accuracy of any figures used (it is easy to enter numbers incorrectly).
- Check spelling. Do not rely completely on computer spell check. For example, you may have “form” and wanted “from” but because “form” is correctly spelled, spell check will not catch this error!
- Check for grammar and flow.
- Have several people read the abstract who are unfamiliar with your work. Read the abstract “out loud”. It is easy to mentally change and fill in words that may not be present in the written format.