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should have a number of headings in your head (not on the paper!) as
you write the abstract. These are:
• Title - The title is
a concise summary of the abstract and shows how the work is important,
relevant and innovative. Decide on several key words from your work
and link them together so the title effectively conveys that message.
• Authors - Include authors
who have contributed to the work. It is assumed, if the abstract is
accepted, that the first author will be the contact person. The name
and address of your institution should also be included, along with
an email address where the author/s can be reached.
• Patients - If patients
were studied, how were they selected? Did they give informed consent?
Was the selection of patients random? Why were patients excluded? Was
ethical committee approval obtained?
• Methods - The techniques
employed must be summarised and novel methods described in greater detail.
Minimise the use of abbreviations, which may confuse the reader. Mention
the methods used to test for statistical significance.
• Results - Data about
patients should be described first, including the numbers studied, sex,
age, distribution and follow-up duration. The key results should then
be summarised, usually in four or five sentences that identify the positive
features.
• Discussion - What has
the work added to the existing body of knowledge? In what way are these
new findings important? Could the findings have occurred by chance or
are they statistically significant?
• Conclusion - Why is the work important? How might the work be developed further?
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