Writing an Abstract
Description
Can you guess which part of a scientific manuscript is most often read, not including the title? If you guessed the abstract, you’re right. In fact, it’s often the only part of a manuscript that people read. Readers scan the abstract to decide whether to read your entire article, cite it in their own work, or include it in a literature review—all of which you want to happen. These are just some of the reasons why it’s important to carefully craft your abstract.
Fortunately, writing a clear, accurate, and compelling abstract is not complicated if you follow a few guidelines.
In this module, you’ll learn to write a great scientific abstract for your next manuscript.
By the end of this module, you will be able to:
Colleen Mayowski, EdD, MLIS
Assistant Professor of Medicine and Clinical and Translational Science
University of Pittsburgh
As faculty in the University of Pittsburgh’s Institute for Clinical Research Education, Dr. Mayowski has developed and taught courses in scientific writing, peer review, and research ethics. Her students include PhD, master’s degree, and certificate students at the University of Pittsburgh as well as scholars in the Building Up and LEADS programs. Dr. Mayowski co-authored the University of Pittsburgh Writing Style Manual, developed a rubric for assessing diversity, equity, and inclusion, and introduced the acclaimed Shut Up and Write© program to Pitt. Her research interests include authorship ethics, competency-based education, online and blended learning, assessment strategies and methodologies, and information ethics.
Learn how to organize a scientific research manuscript, write an attention-grabbing abstract, write a compelling discussion section, respond to peer reviewers, and create an effective research poster.
Modules in this Stack are case-based, interactive, and entirely self-paced, combining convenience and flexibility with deep, engaged learning. Take them all to earn a competency-based certificate.
Other modules in this Stack:
- Creating a Scientific Research Poster
- Organizing a Research Manuscript
- Responding to Peer Review
- Writing Your Discussion Section
