Butler Scientific Communications

Common mistakes in your abstract ⬇️
#4 MISSING OBJECTIVE STATEMENT

This sentence sets the reader's expectations for your paper, and when it directly follows the problem and gap, also tells the reader the EXACT impact of your work!

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1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Butler Scientific Communications

Your abstract is not only a summary of your findings!!! - Common mistakes in your abstract ⬇️
#3 INCLUDING TOO MANY RESULTS

Results should only be ~1/2 of your total abstract.
This just tells what you found - so filling the space with results and not context means readers will miss the "story", and with that, why your work matters.

LET THE ABSTRACT TELL THE FULL STORY OF YOUR RESULTS!!

While the results comprise the biggest overall chunk, without sufficient supporting context, a reader won’t be able to make sense of what you did and understand the implications of it.

Keep your results to ~1/2 of your abstract, and fill in the rest with enough context for your reader to see the “story” behind WHY your work matters and deserves to be published.

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1 year ago | [YT] | 2

Butler Scientific Communications

Take advantage of the last sentence in your abstract!! - Common mistakes in your abstract ⬇️
#2 MISSING STATEMENT OF IMPACT

If your abstract doesn't end with a one sentence summary of "So what? Why does my work matter?", your reader won't guess for themselves! Add this to indicate the impact of your work.

The reader of your abstract doesn’t know how important your contribution is, so it is up to you to tell them.
Put this at the end – after you’ve already set up a problem and how your work addressed it.

How it feels WITHOUT the missing statement:
- Abrupt, unsatisfying ending
- No indication of why this work matters
- Fails to bring abstract full circle

Just add one sentence at the end summing up your answer to the question: “So what now?

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1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Butler Scientific Communications

The abstract is the first place we have to relate to our reader, and if we fail to do that right away, a hesitant reader might not give us another chance.

Would YOU continue reading a paper you don’t immediately see a need for?

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1 year ago | [YT] | 5

Butler Scientific Communications

Your work is only going to matter as much as you can convince others that it does!! - Common mistakes in your abstract!
#1 NOT INCLUDING A RELATABLE PROBLEM FOR THE READER

Use the first 1 sentence, maybe 2, to put work into context and show why work is needed in this field.
Otherwise, you will miss this key opportunity to attract readers.

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1 year ago | [YT] | 1

Butler Scientific Communications

TIP 7: Implement REWARDS & PUNISHMENTS.

What can you "award" yourself for a good writing day? week? month? finished project? Also add "punishments" (give your prize to a friend if you skip) that push you to achieve your goals!💡


WATCH MY FULL, IN-DEPTH BREAKDOWN HERE: https://youtu.be/L2d7KJOSRwk 🎥

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1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Butler Scientific Communications

Hi there! 🌞

If you are an early career researcher
who wants to be taken seriously in your field
learn how to avoid these 6 rookie abstract mistakes from my latest video! 🎥

⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
https://youtu.be/Rok4HGQJWlA

1 year ago | [YT] | 3

Butler Scientific Communications

Overcome writer's block in <30 min, tip #6:

Shake up your ENVIRONMENT. Take your laptop or pen/paper and go to a library, café, friend's house, or work at a colleague's desk for the day. Let new settings awaken different senses and shake words loose!

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1 year ago | [YT] | 5

Butler Scientific Communications

Overcome writer's block in <30 min, TIP 5 👯‍♀️

Generate ACCOUNTABILITY by scheduling side-by-side working time with a buddy! Pick a friend, colleague, or random person (www.flow.club) and sit together while working independently.

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1 year ago | [YT] | 6

Butler Scientific Communications

TIP 4 🪄

Shower thoughts are a thing! Step away from your desk and into the SHOWER. Let a mundane activity you can do on autopilot occupy your body while your brain churns in the background and see what pops out!

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1 year ago | [YT] | 3