Structured Abstract
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A Structured Abstract is a Publication Abstract with some Structure (e.g. with standard sub-sections).
- Examples(s):
- See: Document Section, British Medical Journal, Journal of American Medical Association.
References
2010
- http://www.nlm.nih.gov/bsd/policy/structured_abstracts.html
- What are Structured Abstracts? A structured abstract is an abstract with distinct, labeled sections (e.g., Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion) for rapid comprehension (see Figure 1).
- What Kinds of Structures are used? Standardized formats for structured abstracts have been defined for original research studies, review articles and clinical practice guidelines (1,2). The IMRAD format (INTRODUCTION, METHODS, RESULTS, DISCUSSION), a defacto standard that reflects the process of scientific discovery (3), is commonly used as a structure for journal abstracts (4,5). The CONSORT (Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials) Group has recently issued a new guideline for reporting randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in journal and conference abstracts by developing a minimum list of essential items that authors should consider when reporting the main results of a RCT in any journal or conference abstract. CONSORT for Abstracts recommends that abstracts relating to RCTs have a structured format (6).
- Why Use Structured Abstracts? Structured abstracts have several advantages for authors and readers. These formats were developed in the late 1980s and early 1990s to assist health professionals in selecting clinically relevant and methodologically valid journal articles. They also guide authors in summarizing the content of their manuscripts precisely, facilitate the peer-review process for manuscripts submitted for publication, and enhance computerized literature searching (1,2).
2007
- (Hjørland, 2007) ⇒ Birger Hjørland. (2007). “Core Concepts in Library and Information Science (LIS)."
- … Recently has a further development of the informative abstract become common among many journals: the structured abstract. Journal of Documentation, for example, demands: "Authors must supply a structured abstract set out under 4-6 sub-headings: Purpose; Methodology/Approach; Findings; Research limitations/implications (if applicable); Practical implications (if applicable) and, the Originality/value of paper. Maximum is 250 words in total." (Journal of Documentation, 2005). This new trend may be associated with the trend known as evidence based practice and thus be an indication of an epistemological influence on criteria for manuscript design.
1988
- (Lock, 1988) ⇒ Stephen Lock. (1988). “Structured Abstracts.” In: British Medical Journal, 297(6642).