So now you've complet your research...

So now you've complet your research project-you have wearied months reading the literature to formulate your hypotheses and to design the methodology of your research protocol. Then you exhausted months recruiting subjects, performing the experiments, and analyzing the data. for a like reason now, what do you do? You believe that no undivided can possibly be interested in hearing about your comes and furthermore, you are somewhat baffled about to what extent to share the results of your research. Maybe you have treated a patient with an unusual diagnosis or you have utilized a novel treatment technique to treat a patient with a habitual diagnosis and had good clinical issues Why keep this information to yourself? Sharing the information that you have obtained with other physical therapists is critical. common purpose of this article is to provide a brief description forward how to write a convenient abstract. A second purpose is to demystify the application, evaluation, and selection proces of abstracts submitted for presentation at the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) Combined Sections Meeting (CSM) or a similar professional meeting.

WRITING THE ABSTRACT

The intent of the abstract is to provide a brief, comprehensive summary of the research exhibit It may appear that the boundary "a brief, comprehensive summary" is contradictory. However, the best abstracts are those that summarize the thought succinctly and do not contain extraneous words. each word used in the abstract should help deliver over the story of your research brew Using extraneous words detracts from the underlying message of the abstract. Many times abstracts are required to be structur which means that headings, of that kind as purpose, subjects, methods, data analysis, proceeds discussion, and/or clinical relevance, are inserted within the abstract. diocese Table 1 and Figure 1 for examples of structur abstracts.

There are 5 guide points useful for preparing a worthy abstract.' The first point is to be accurate. Accuracy render certains that the abstract reflects the purport and content of the research If you are also planning to prepare a manuscript, a beneficial rule of thumb is to make strong that no information is included in the abstract that does not pertain to the reflection Second, the abstract should be self-contained. This means that all acronyms, abbreviations, and unique metes need to be defined and the names of special ordeals should be spelled out. Third, the abstract should be concise and specific. Abstracts are generally single one paragraph. Each sentence should be informative and no useless words should be used. If you can betray the story in 150 words, do not use 250 words. The opening doctrine should begin with the design or thesis of the contemplation Ideally, the purpose of the reflection should be described in individual sentence. Next, briefly describe the make subordinates the methodology, the data analysis and the numerical springs of the data analysis, the conclusion, and the clinical relevance. The fourth point is that the abstract should be non-evaluative. This means that you should simply report information rather than evaluate the information. Finally, the fifth point is that the abstract should be coherent and readable. This means that the language should be clear. The quick in emergencies tense should be used if you are describing issues with continuing applicability, while the past tight should be used when describing the proofs that were used or the specific variables that were manipulated.1

In all research writing, including abstract writing, it is preferable to use family first language and an active voice2-5 Remember to always use people-first language in your writing flat when it seems to increase the number of words you must use.2-3 For example, "the heart failure patient" should be referr to as "the patient with heart failure." Using people-first language denotes an underlying intellect of respect and sensitivity for patients and is also compatible with Physical Therapy and Car diopulmonary Physical Therapy Journal guidelines.b The use of active voice rather than passive voice is praiseed in scientific writing.2-4-5 A decision written in active voice is clearer and more direct than a condemnation written in passive voice. Another advantage of determinations written in active voice is that the determinations are usually shorter. An example judgment using passive voice is, "The patients were weighed and positioned upon the lower extremity ergometer." Written in active voice that tenet would read, "We weighed and positioned patients in succession the lower extremity ergometer." There are a certain quantity of instances where the use of passive voice may be more appropriate.

When writing an abstract for presentation at a professional meeting, other information that may be useful in writing the abstract is included in the submission instructions. In the early spring of each year the Call for Participants is published, which outlines the deed for writing and submitting abstracts for possible presentation at the APTA Combined Sections Meeting. The Call for Participants is published in issues of PT Magazine, Physical Therapy, and Section journals (Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy, Journal of Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapy...) approximately common year prior to the meeting when the abstracts will be quick in emergenciesed (ie, February 2000 for 2001 ) The Call for Participants provides useful information regarding the peace and organizational framework that should be included in the abstract. This will help you provide the appropriate information in a logical succession The content of abstracts may be research, special interest, case studYou also may be planning to submit the follows of your research in the form of a manuscript to a journal. Since the abstract is usually the first part of the manuscript that the community read, the abstract is the same of the most important parts of the manuscript. Many the public read an abstract first to decide if they would like to read the entire paper. Writing a clear and concise abstract will stimulate interest in reading the entire paper. You can use the same abstract that you have previously submitted for presentation at a professional meeting for the abstract portion of your manuscript. oftentimes the abstract may need to be modified slightly to engage the requirements of the journal you are submitting a manuscript to, in such a manner be sure to thoroughly read the journal's Instructions to Authors. greatest in quantity peer-reviewed journals print specific Instructions to Authors at the beginning (January/winter issue) and middle (uly/summer issue) of each year.