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5 Common Mistakes in Abstract Writing and How to Avoid Them

Dhruvil Radadiya, MD, is a GI fellow at the University of Kansas School of Medicine. He did his internal medicine residency at East Tennessee State University and wishes to pursue an academic career in gastroenterology. Dr. Radadiya has been actively involved in clinical outcomes research and systemic reviews in gastroenterology and has peer-reviewed many high-impact GI journals. His research interests include the outcomes of endoscopic procedures in GI bleeding and pancreaticobiliary disorders. Dr. Radadiya is passionate about the application of a particular branch of artificial intelligence — machine-learning in predicting inpatient health care outcomes. Find him on Twitter @DRadadiyaMD.
Dhruvil Radadiya, MD

The deadline to submit an abstract to Digestive Disease Week® (DDW) 2022 is almost here. As you put the finishing touches on your abstract, make sure you’ve avoided these five mistakes that are often made in writing an abstract. Remember, the key to writing an attractive abstract is to be simple, clear and concise.

1. Lack of Context

Always keep in mind that the reviewer will not be familiar enough with the field of your research. Provide necessary background information and implications of your research in the introduction part of the abstract.

2. To Little or Too Much Data

Presenting too little of your findings will leave reviewers with unanswered questions; on the other hand, presenting all your findings will leave readers confused about the main take-home point. Ideally, limit to highlighting the three main findings of your study.

3. Lack of Conformity

Follow the DDW submission guidelines to ensure it conforms to the format to which the reviewer will be expecting it. Not conforming to guidelines may lead to the abstract being rejected even before the review process.

4. Omission of Part of the Abstract

Always write abstract in a structured form (introduction/background, methods, results, and discussion/conclusion) to ensure no information necessary for the reader’s interpretation is missing or obscured.

5. Too Many Abbreviations

Abbreviations put a strain on readers, as they may forget what it means and must frequently go back to remember. Thus, limit the use of abbreviations as they may turn off readers.

2 Responses

  1. Thanks alot for advices , realy appreciate because am keen to attend DDW 2022

    kindly need the formate of Abstract to submitt at the time of lare break through

    Regards
    Reda Elbadawy

    1. Hi, DDW will accept clinical and basic science late-breaking abstract submissions from 09:00 Eastern time (UTC -4) on March 24, 2022, through 17:00 Eastern time (UTC –4) on Thursday, March 31, 2022. Note the LBA submission period is not an extension to the general submission period. Case reports, literature reviews, retrospective studies, and abstracts featuring results or data available on the Dec. 2 general submission deadline are ineligible as late-breaking abstracts and will not be considered. You can review the abstract submission guidelines for more information.

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