Using keywords

Using keywords is a vital part of abstract writing, because of the practice of retrieving information electronically: keywords act as the search term. Use keywords that are specific, and that reflect what is essential about the paper. Put yourself in the position of someone researching in your field: what would you look for? Consider also whether you can use any of the current "buzz words".

V. Things to Avoid

• Avoid jargon or any technical terms that most readers won't understand.

• Avoid abbreviations or acronyms that are not commonly understood unless you describe what they mean.

• Abstracts do not have a bibliography or citations.

• Abstracts do not contain tables or graphs.

• For most science projects, the abstract must focus on the latest research, and give only minimal reference to any earlier work.

• If you are working with a scientist or mentor, your abstract should only include procedures done by you, and you should not put acknowledgements to anyone in your abstract.

How to Meet the Word Limit

Most authors agree that it is harder to write a short description of something than a long one. Here's a tip: for your first draft, don't be overly concerned about the length. Just make sure you include all the key information. Then take your draft and start crossing our words, phrases, and sentences that are less important than others. Look for places where you can combine sentences in ways that shorten the total length. Put it aside for a while, then come back and re-read your draft. With a fresh eye, you'll probably find new places to cut. Before you know it you will have a tightly written abstract.

VI. Sample Abstracts

Sample A

Conversion Of Optically Active Acid-Esters To Ester-Acid Chlorides Without Loss Of Optical Activity Sean Purdy (Senior, Chemistry), Mason Marsh (Senior, Chemistry) Stephen Flowers (Junior, Biology), Brenda Benfield (Junior, Biology) Advisor: Dr. George B. Trimitsis, Chemistry

It has been reported in the literature that attempts to convert optically active acid-esters to their corresponding ester-acid chlorides by standard procedures is often accompanied by loss of optical activity. The purpose of the present investigation was to develop a suitable experimental procedure for the conversion of methyl (R)-3-methyl glutarate (1) to the corresponding ester-acid 2 with preservation of optical purity. A number of suitable reagents and reaction conditions for accomplishing this goal will be discussed. The present investigation also sought to develop an accurate and convenient assay for determining the enantiomeric excess of compounds 1 and 2. Although ¹NMR can be used for this purpose, it was found that GC-MS offers a number of distinct advantages. A comparison of the two analytical procedures will be presented.

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Science Abstract Checklist

Sample B

Using Melting Point to Determine the Identity of an Unknown Organic Acid

Martha A. Hass Albany College of Pharmacy, Organic Chemistry Lab Tuesday Morning Section June 15, 2002

The identity of an unknown organic acid was determined.  The compound was taken from a list of twenty, known organic acids, each with different melting points.  An experimental melting point was determined for the unknown compound using a Fisher-Johns melting point apparatus.  The thermometer of the apparatus was calibrated using benzoic acid as a standard.  An experimental melting point (calibrated) of 184°C for the unknown acid was measured.  This value most closely correlated with the literature melting point of p-anisic acid, one of the possible twenty compounds on the list.  None of the other compounds on the list had melting points within 5°C of the experimental melting point.  The unknown was identified as p-anisic acid.  Experimental determination of an unknown compound's melting point is useful for identifying the compound.

Sample C

Rapid methods to detect organic mercury and total selenium in biological samples

Dong-Ha Nam and Niladri Basu* Chemistry Central Journal 2011, 5:3 doi:10.1186/1752-153X-5-3 13 January 2011

Organic mercury (Hg) is a global pollutant of concern and selenium is believed to afford protection against mercury risk though few approaches exist to rapidly assess both chemicals in biological samples. Here, micro-scale and rapid methods to detect organic mercury (< 1.5 ml total sample volume, < 1.5 hour) and total selenium (Se; < 3.0 ml total volume, < 3 hour) from a range of biological samples (10-50 mg) are described.

For organic Hg, samples are digested using Tris-HCl buffer (with sequential additions of protease, NaOH, cysteine, CuSO4, acidic NaBr) followed by extraction with toluene and Na2S2O3. The final product is analyzed via commercially available direct/total mercury analyzers. For Se, a fluorometric assay has been developed for microplate readers that involves digestion (HNO3-HClO4 and HCl), conjugation (2,3-diaminonaphthalene), and cyclohexane extraction. Recovery of organic Hg (86-107%) and Se (85-121%) were determined through use of Standard Reference Materials and lemon shark kidney tissues.

The approaches outlined provide an easy, rapid, reproducible, and cost-effective platform for monitoring organic Hg and total Se in biological samples. Owing to the importance of organic Hg and Se in the pathophysiology of Hg, integration of such methods into established research monitoring efforts (that largely focus on screening total Hg only) will help increase understanding of Hg's true risks.