1 Th is paper reports the use of a novel water- soluble polymer blend as a coating to control drug release. 2 It was found that using a blend of methylcellulose and a water-soluble copolymer signifi cantly slowed the release rate of ibuprofen compounds in vitro and allowed for a more consistent release rate of 10–20% per hour. In this sentence, the writer: 1________________ 2________________ In Sentence 1 'Th is paper reports the use of a novel water-soluble polymer blend as a coating to control drug release.' the writer combines what the paper does (Th is paper reports), the method or materials used (water-soluble polymer blend), the contribution (novel) and the aim of the study (to control drug release). Th is shows why it is not a good idea just to copy sentences from the research article itself. Th e word limit in the Abstract means that you may not have space to write one sentence describing the method you used and another stating the aim of your study; you need to fi nd a way of combining such elements. Look at these combinations: GAP/ACHIEVEMENT In contrast to traditional approaches to water distribution planning based on cost, the model proposed here allows issues such as quality of supply to be considered.
Abstract — Writing Task 211 ACHIEVEMENT/METHOD A substantial increase in catalyst productivity was achieved by nanofi ltration-coupled catalysis. PROBLEM/METHOD In order to select the optimum strategy in an environment with multiple objectives, a decision-aid tool for optimal life-cycle assess- ment was used. In Sentence 2 'It was found that using a blend of methylcellulose and a water-soluble copolymer signifi cantly slowed the release rate of ibuprofen compounds in vitro and allowed for a more consistent release rate of 10–20% per hour.' the writer refers to the method in more detail and provides numerical details of the results. Even when an Abstract is short it must still do almost as much work as the paper, and it should still inform potential readers whether the article is suitable for their needs. If the reader cannot decide whether to read the paper without knowing whether you used simulation, analytic models, prototype construction, or analysis of fi eld data, you should include that. If the value and relevance of your work is that you did many experiments with various parameters rather than a single case study, you should include that information. If, as in this case, the value of the work is a more consistent release rate of 10–20% per hour then this should be included in the Abstract. How much detail of the results should I give? Th e results are probably the most important component of this type of Abstract, and you should be specifi c and give details of key results. Avoid vague words such as small or better. If you provide 'naked numbers' try and include quantitative language such as only 38% or as high as 15% so that the numbers cannot be misinterpreted. In this case, the writer does not simply refer to a more consistent release rate, the actual numerical result (a more consistent release rate of 10-20% per hour) is included. For the same reason, you should not use unclear terms such as various methods were used when you describe your methodology.
212 Science Research Writing 5.3.3 Th e models Here are the sentence descriptions we have collected: MODEL 1 In Sentence 1
the writer provides background factual informa tion. In Sentence 2
the writer combines the method, the general aim and the specifi c aim of the study in one sentence. In Sentences 3 and 4 the writer summarises the methodology and provides details. In Sentence 5
the writer indicates the achievement of the study. In Sentence 6 the writer presents the implications of the study. MODEL 2 In Sentence 1
the writer combines what the paper does, the method or materials used, the contribution and the aim of the study. In Sentence 2
the writer refers to the method in more detail and provides numerical details of the results. Rather than construct two diff erent models, the model description given in the box below will include both types of Abstracts. We can streamline the sentence types we have collected so that the model has fi ve basic components. Th e more structured type, Model 1, typically includes the fi rst four components in the box below in approximately the order presented; in this type of Abstract, each component tends to occur separately. Th ese structured Abstracts occasionally include the fi ft h component, LIMITATIONS and/or FUTURE WORK. Model 2 selects just two or three of the components and tends to combine components in a single sentence where possible. Th e components generally include RESULTS and/or ACHIEVEMENTS and frequently METHODOLOGY, but this depends on the research area and the level of specifi city. A wider research focus may require BACKGROUND or AIM in the Abstract. In Model 2, the order of components is very
Abstract — Writing Task 213 fl exible indeed — the only pattern that is generally followed is that METHODOLOGY tends to come before RESULTS. 1 BACKGROUND AIM PROBLEM WHAT THE PAPER DOES 2 METHODOLOGY/MATERIALS 3 RESULTS ACHIEVEMENT/CONTRIBUTION IMPLICATIONS 4 APPLICATIONS 5 LIMITATIONS FUTURE WORK 5.3.4 Testing the models Th e next step is to look at the way this model works in some real Abstracts. Here are two Abstracts from real research articles. Read them through, and mark the model components (1, 2, 3, 4 or 5) wherever you think you see them. For example, if you think the fi rst sentence corresponds to number