An abstract accompanies a scientific article throughout its entire life cycle – from submission to the editorial board through to indexing in scientometric databases. It is often the only fragment of text available to a wide range of specialists before the full version of the material is opened, and in databases such as Scopus, Web of Science it is this text that determines whether a publication receives further attention. Failure to meet an abstract’s established requirements can influence the editorial board’s decision even before the manuscript is passed on to reviewers.
What is an abstract for a scientific article, and why is it needed?
An abstract is a brief, self-contained summary of the content of a scientific article, published separately from the main text in bibliographic databases and search engines. Unlike an introduction, an abstract is not a fragment of the article itself – it must be understandable without reference to the full text of the work.
An abstract performs several functions at once:
- an informational function – it gives the reader an idea of the work’s content without needing to read it in full
- a search function – it makes it possible to find the article in the Scopus, Web of Science
- an evaluative function – it helps the editorial board and reviewers quickly judge whether the material fits the journal’s scope
What length should an abstract for a scientific article be
There is no single, universally accepted standard for the length of an abstract – specific requirements are set by the journal itself. For journals indexed in Scopus and Web of Science, a range of 150 to 250 words is common, while some structured abstracts may run to 300 words. The Russian state standard GOST R 7.0.99-2018 recommends an average abstract length of around 600 characters, including spaces, in cases where the journal does not specify its own conditions.
Before drafting the text, it is worth checking the length requirements with the chosen journal directly, as the figures can vary considerably even among publications in the same field.
What structure is considered correct for an abstract?
Some journals, particularly in medicine and the natural sciences, require a structured abstract with separate subheadings that follow the logic of IMRAD. Other publications accept an abstract as a single, continuous piece of text with no internal divisions.
Regardless of the format, an abstract usually includes the following core elements:
- the relevance or problem of the research
- the aim of the work
- the methods applied
- the main results
- the conclusions and practical significance
General requirements for the content and style of an abstract
An abstract is written in the third person, without the pronoun “I” or evaluative language. It is set out in the past or present tense, since it describes research that has already been completed rather than work still to come. Direct quotations and references to sources are not permitted in the text – an abstract must remain self-contained. Abbreviations are spelt out in full on first use, and the wording must not repeat the title or introduction of the article word for word.
What mistakes do authors most often make in an abstract?
An analysis of manuscripts submitted to editorial boards reveals a number of recurring shortcomings. Typical mistakes made when preparing an abstract include the following.
- The abstract almost word for word repeats the article’s introduction or conclusion.
- The aim of the research is vaguely worded or not stated at all.
- The results are described in general terms, without specific figures or data.
- The text contains direct quotations or references to literary sources.
- The text is written in the future tense instead of stating the work as already completed.
- Abbreviations are used without being spelt out on first mention.
- The length of the abstract significantly exceeds or falls short of the journal’s requirements.
- The abstract of one article is almost identical in wording to the abstract of another publication by the same author.
How an abstract influences the editorial board’s decision to publish
An abstract is often checked by the editorial board before the article is even passed to reviewers, at the stage known as desk review. A vague or carelessly written abstract can lead to a manuscript being rejected even when the main text is of high quality. Beyond that, a well-written abstract with relevant keywords increases the likelihood of the article being found in scientometric databases, which directly affects the publication’s future citation rate.
An abstract is an independent element of a manuscript that deserves just as much care as the main text. Meeting the requirements for length, structure and style reduces the risk of comments at the initial review stage and increases the likelihood of the article progressing successfully through scientific databases.
If you are having difficulty preparing an abstract for a scientific article, get in touch with Scientific Papers. Our specialists will help you word the abstract correctly and prepare a scientific article that meets the requirements of your chosen journal. To receive a free consultation, leave a request on the website, and our manager will contact you shortly. Let’s create successful publications together!
