Ten Steps to Writing an Effective Abstract
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An abstract is a condensed version of the manuscript, which highlights the major points covered, concisely describes its content and scope, and reviews its material in abbreviated form. It is usually the first section read and sets the tone of the paper for the reviewer. It must be concise and easy to read and must cover the important points of the paper.
Writing an abstract involves summarizing a whole manuscript and providing as much new information as possible. The best way to write an effective abstract is to start with a draft of the complete manuscript and follow these 10 steps:
1. Identify the major objectives and conclusions.
2. Identify phrases with keywords.
3. Identify the major results.
4. Assemble the information into a single paragraph.
5. State your hypothesis or method used.
6. Omit background information, literature review, and detailed description of methods.
7. Remove extra words and phrases.
8. Convey only the essential information.
9. Check to see if it meets the guidelines of the targeted journal.
10. Give the abstract to a colleague (preferably one who is not familiar with your work) and ask him/her whether it makes sense.
Writing an effective abstract will encourage people to read it, and increase its impact.
Many publications have a required style for abstracts. The “Guidelines for Authors” provided by the publisher will provide specific instructions. Stay within the publisher’s guidelines, or your manuscript might be rejected.
Study examples of abstracts published in scientific journals.
Optimal Minimum Wage Policy in Competitive Labor Markets
David Lee, Princeton University; Emmanuel Saez, UC Berkeley
Abstract
This paper provides a theoretical analysis of optimal minimum wage policy in a perfectly competitive labor market and obtains two key results. First, we show that a binding minimum wage is nevertheless desirable if the government values redistribution toward low wage workers and if unemployment induced by the minimum wage hits the lowest surplus workers first. Importantly, this result remains true in the presence of optimal nonlinear taxes and transfers. In that context, a binding minimum wage enhances the effectiveness of transfers to low-skilled workers as it prevents low-skilled wages from falling through incidence effects. Second, when labor supply responses are along the extensive margin only, the co-existence of a minimum wage with a positive tax rate on low-skilled work is always Pareto inefficient. Overall, our results imply that the minimum wage and subsidies for low-skilled workers are complementary policies.
Right to education – a challenge for the world?
Jelena Dzankic
Abstract
This paper examines the right to education in the international legal system, claiming that the fulfillment of this human right should be guaranteed both by international and state mechanisms. First, the paper positions the right to education within the major documents of the UN legal framework. As such, it explores the pillars of the legal standards related to education: a) non-discrimination and equality; and b) the freedom of choice of the kind and contents of the process of education. Second, the paper views the importance of the right to education in the contexts of globalization and MDGs, liaising its realization with the projects and activities of international organizations.
Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine
William Ruth Spencer
Abstract
Currently, more than a quarter of the adult population smoke. This article considers the consequences both for associated disease and for perioperative complications. It also discusses the risks and benefits of stopping smoking immediately before surgery.
Cancer risks related to different energy sources
P. Boffetta, E. Cardis, H. Vainio
International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon
Abstract
CANCER RISKS RELATED TO DIFFERENT ENERGY SOURCES.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer has previously evaluated the cancer risks associated with fossil fuel based industrial processes such as coal gasification and coke production, substances and mixtures such as coal tars, coal tar pitch and mineral oils, and a number of substances emitted from fossil fuelled plants such as benzo[a]pyrene and other poly-cyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. On the basis of these evaluations and other evidence from the literature, the carcinogenic risks to the general population and occupational groups from the fossil fuel cycle, the nuclear fuel cycle and renewable cycles are reviewed. Cancer risks from waste disposal, accidents and misuses, and electricity distribution are also considered. No cycle appears to be totally free from cancer risk, but quantification of the effects of such exposures (in particular of those involving potential exposure to large amounts of carcinogens such as coal, oil and nuclear) requires the application of methods which are subject to considerable margins of error. Uncertainties due to inadequate data and unconfirmed assumptions are discussed. Cancer risks related to the operation of renewable energy sources are negligible, although there may be some risks from the construction of such installations. The elements of knowledge at our disposal do not encourage any attempt towards a quantitative comparative risk assessment. However, even in the absence of an accurate quantification of risk, a qualitative indication of carcinogenic hazards should lead to preventive measures.