BASW Renal Special Interest Group

Back

Home

Contact

Guidelines

Definition:
An abstract is a brief summary of the contents of a Research report, an article or a presentation.
Traditionally, abstracts cover an introduction, methods, results and conclusion.
Key Elements: Problem, Purpose, Design, Findings, Conclusion, Relevance

Problem:
Define your Research Idea. Look to the problems of everyday practice which puzzle you or cause you concern. Follow your natural instincts in wishing to improve the standard of care for your patients and the standards of practice for the staff. Don't be fooled by the "routine ness" of your everyday work.

Purpose:
If the problem is WHAT you are investigating, then the PURPOSE is the WHY The Purpose indicates, by using performance words, the reason why the research has been conducted for example to compare, identify, define, etc. It should be written in a clear concise manner which is easy and interesting to read. It will tell the reader why you have undertaken your project and what you hoped to learn from the data you collected.

Design:
A research Design is the framework for investigating your defined Problem. Summarise all the important information related to strategy and methodology and describe the instruments used, such as a pilot study, questionnaires, etc. It is sufficient to briefly summarise how you approached the problem, by describing your sample group, data collection methods and analysis procedures.

Findings:
The results of your data collection should be concisely and objectively listed in a logical sequence.

Conclusion:
Interpret your findings and make some suggestions about solutions to your stated problem. In addition to being a comprehensive review of the main facts you have learned, the Conclusion should also contain your evaluation, generalisation and projection of new insights into the work you have just presented. Consider improved policy or practice.

Relevance:
In simple language, explain the significance of your findings and conclusions to Nephrology Care, to Nursing, to technology, or to your individual area of practice. This is you chance to "sell your abstract" to the abstract markers.

The art of writing a winning abstract is to address the 6 Key Elements using two or three well-constructed sentences per element. Use simple statements, precise language, numerals for numbers, and well-known abbreviations when possible.

Tables and Graphs may be accommodated within the space allowed.

Keep It Short and Simple!

Abstracts&Publications