Scientific writing 3.0: A reader and writer's guide - Jean-Luc Lebrun, Justin Lebrun 2021

Abstract Q&A
Abstract: the heart of your paper
Paper structure and purpose

Q: What is an extended abstract?

A: An extended abstract is not an abstract. It is a short paper that a reader reads in less than an hour — usually a fifth of a regular paper. Unlike the abstract, it contains a few key visuals (space allowing) and references. It is short on details. For example, even though the extended abstract has an introduction, it does not paint the context of the contribution in great detail, but focuses instead on the immediate related works that are essential to understand and value your contribution. Likewise, its conclusion (if there is one) skips the future work. In some ways, writing an extended abstract is more difficult than writing a full paper because one has to make hard choices when it comes to details: what to leave out, and what to keep in to interest and convince.

Q: Can I submit to a journal a paper that corresponds to the extended abstract I prepared for a conference?

A: The short answer is no. There would be no added novelty, just additional details on the same contribution. This is an issue that journals deal with explicitly in their guides to authors, so do read your journal guidelines on this matter. When you submit your paper to non open-access journals, you sign a legally binding submission declaration assigning the copyright of your material to the journal. Therefore, reusing in the journal paper paragraphs recycled from the extended abstract would be considered self-plagiarism.

The extended abstract is often nothing more than the paper corresponding to the first research step. Additional steps are required for a journal paper. Its title would be different, its visuals also, and much more.

It is always good to declare the existence of your extended abstract to the journal editor when submitting your paper, and to explain the differences between it and your paper (different methodology, increased scope, new findings...).

Q: Do all abstracts have four parts?

A: Not all abstracts have four parts, sometimes with good reason. A review paper that covers the state of the art in a particular domain has only one or two parts. Short papers (letters, reports) have one or two lines. “Extended” abstracts are written prior to a conference, in some cases well before the research is completed; as a result, their parts 3 and 4 are shallow or missing. But, apart from these special cases, all abstracts should have four parts.

Q: Some journals limit the length of an abstract to 300 words. Is it best to use all 300 words?

A: Think of the busy reader! If you can write your abstract in less than 300 words, and still have a complete abstract (4 parts), then be brief! Brevity comes through selection.

Q: Abstracts should be written in the past tense. Everybody does it this way. Where do you get this present-tense nonsense from?

A: Never say never! I used to think that abstracts were only written in the past tense because they refer to work that is completed. It looks as though I was mistaken. More journals now accept and even recommend the use of the present tense for the abstract. Even NASA scientists are advised to use the present tense in their abstracts.

Before you select the tense for your abstract, read the journal recommendations to the author. If the journal does not forbid the use of the present tense, consider using it.

Q: Does an abstract contain text only?

A: Actually, the visual abstract is slowly making its way into some chemistry, material science, or even biology journals. It helps the reader understand the contribution visually and with few words. Pathways, chemical formulas, or microstructures are more effectively understood visually. If your journal demands a visual for its table of contents, be ready to pick the visual the most representative of your contribution.

Q: My paper is a review. Do the principles detailed in this chapter also apply to this kind of paper?

A: A review is quite different. Look at the resources provided in the final chapter to find guidelines for review papers.

Q: Should I mention the method if it is a very common one used in my field?

A: Yes, but in that case, do not elaborate, half a sentence will do. If you modified that method, just indicate how it differs from the standard one.