What is an abstract of a nursing paper?
An abstract of a nursing paper is a concise summary of the paper’s main points. It is typically 250-350 words long and includes the following information:
- Background: Briefly explain the topic of your paper and why it is important.
- Research question(s): State the main question(s) that your paper addresses.
- Methods: Briefly describe how you conducted your research.
- Results: Summarize your key findings.
- Conclusions: State your main conclusions and implications.
Why is the abstract important?
The abstract is important because it is the first thing that many readers will see of your paper. It is your chance to make a good impression and convince them to read more. A well-written abstract should be clear, concise, and informative. It should also be accurate and reflect the content of your paper accurately.
How to write an effective abstract
To write an effective abstract, follow these tips:
- Start by writing a draft of your paper. This will help you to clarify your main points and make sure that your abstract is accurate and complete.
- Once you have a draft of your paper, write a brief summary of each section. This will help you to identify the key information that you need to include in your abstract.
- Combine the summaries of each section to create a draft of your abstract. Make sure that your abstract is concise and to the point.
- Proofread your abstract carefully to check for grammar and spelling errors. You may also want to ask a friend or colleague to read your abstract and give you feedback.
What to include in your abstract
Background: Briefly explain the topic of your paper and why it is important. Be sure to cite any relevant sources.
Research question(s): State the main question(s) that your paper addresses.
Methods: Briefly describe how you conducted your research. This may include information about your study design, sample population, and data collection methods.
Results: Summarize your key findings. Be sure to include enough information so that readers can understand the significance of your findings.
Conclusions: State your main conclusions and implications. Be sure to discuss the limitations of your study and suggest directions for future research.
Tips for writing an effective abstract
- Be clear and concise. Your abstract should be no more than 350 words.
- Use keywords that are relevant to your topic. This will help readers to find your abstract when they are searching for information.
- Avoid using jargon and technical language. Your abstract should be understandable to a general audience.
- Proofread your abstract carefully before submitting it. Make sure that there are no grammar or spelling errors.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Writing an abstract that is too long or too short.
- Failing to include all of the essential elements (background, research question(s), methods, results, and conclusions).
- Using jargon or technical language.
- Making grammatical or spelling errors.
Conclusion
The importance of the abstract
The abstract is an important part of any nursing paper. It is a concise summary of the paper’s main points and it is often the first thing that readers will see. A well-written abstract can help to attract readers and convince them to read more of your paper.
How to write an effective abstract
To write an effective abstract, follow the tips above. Be sure to include all of the essential elements (background, research question(s), methods, results, and conclusions) and to write in a clear and concise style.
Resources for further information
- The American Psychological Association (APA) provides guidelines for writing abstracts in APA style.
- The American Nurses Association (ANA) provides guidelines for writing nursing research papers.
- Your university library may also have resources on writing abstracts.
FAQs
Q. What is the difference between an abstract and an introduction?
An abstract is a concise summary of the entire paper, including the background, research question, methods, results, and conclusions. The introduction is the first section of the body of the paper and provides more detailed information about the background and research question. The introduction also sets the stage for the rest of the paper by explaining the significance of the research and how it will contribute to existing knowledge.
Q. How do I choose keywords for my abstract?
To choose keywords for your abstract, think about the main topics of your paper and the specific terms that readers are likely to use when searching for information on those topics. You can also use a keyword research tool to identify relevant keywords. Once you have a list of keywords, choose the most important ones to include in your abstract.
Q. How do I cite references in my abstract?
If you cite references in your abstract, be sure to follow the style guide that your journal or institution requires. APA style, for example, requires that you cite references in parentheses using the author’s last name and the year of publication.
Q. Where can I publish my abstract?
You can publish your abstract in a variety of places, including:
- The journal where you plan to publish your full paper.
- A conference abstract book.
- A dedicated abstract database, such as PubMed Central.
- Your university’s website or repository.
Example of a nursing paper abstract
The following is an example of a nursing paper abstract:
Title: The Impact of a Nurse-Led Educational Intervention on the Knowledge and Attitudes of Patients with Diabetes Mellitus
Abstract:
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Patients with diabetes need to have good knowledge of their condition and how to manage it in order to live healthy and productive lives. However, many patients with diabetes do not have the knowledge and skills they need to manage their condition effectively.
This study evaluated the impact of a nurse-led educational intervention on the knowledge and attitudes of patients with diabetes mellitus. The intervention consisted of a series of four educational sessions on topics such as diabetes risk factors, signs and symptoms, treatment options, and blood glucose monitoring.
A total of 100 patients with diabetes mellitus participated in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to either the intervention group or a control group. The intervention group received the nurse-led educational intervention, while the control group did not receive any additional education.
At the end of the study, the patients in the intervention group had significantly higher scores on a diabetes knowledge test and a diabetes attitude scale than the patients in the control group. The findings of this study suggest that nurse-led educational interventions can be effective in improving the knowledge and attitudes of patients with diabetes mellitus.
Conclusion
Writing an abstract of a nursing paper can be a daunting task, but it is an important part of the research process. By following the tips above, you can write an effective abstract that will help to attract readers and convince them to read more of your paper.
