How to Choose the Best Keywords for Your Research Paper.
Title, Abstract and Keywords The Importance of Titles The title of your manuscript is usually the first introduction readers (and reviewers) have to your work. Therefore, you must select a title that grabs attention, accurately describes the contents of your manuscript, and makes people want to read further.
For instance, if you are writing a paper on a newly-discovered epigenetic regulator, you might not want to use general keywords such as “cell biology” or “genetics.” These terms do little to reflect the specificity with which your potential readers search for source materials. Instead, focus on key concepts covered in your abstract.
The purpose of keywords in a research paper is to help other researchers find your paper when they are conducting a search on the topic. Keywords define the field, subfield, topic, research issue, etc. that are covered by the article.
Answer: Keywords are words that capture the essence of your paper. Keywords make your paper searchable and ensure that you get more citations. Therefore, it is important to include the most relevant keywords that will help other authors find your paper.
Choosing Effective Keywords in APA Format Research Paper Keywords are written after the abstract in an APA paper in a particular format. Around 5-6 keywords should be listed (the number might vary according to journal specifications). They are written after an indent, as if starting a new paragraph.
For clinical papers, keywords may need to be chosen from the Medical Subject Headings list. The abstract is the most widely read part of your manuscript and it is recommended to write it last. However, this can mean rushing this crucial piece.
Definition: Abstract An abstract is a short summary of a research paper. It is not part of the actual text and must be included at the very beginning of your work. It does not show up in the structure and the table of contents of your thesis.
The abstract is the only part of the paper that a potential referee sees when he is invited by an editor to review a manuscript. The abstract is the only part of the paper that readers see when they search through electronic databases such as PubMed.
However, not that even if you have used an abbreviation in the abstract multiple times, you have to spell it out again the first time it is used in the body of the paper. Related reading: A 10-step guide to make your research paper abstract more effective; Handling abbreviations of journal names in references.
The list of keywords should follow after the abstract paragraph, and the word Keywords should be italicized, indented five spaces from the left margin, and followed by a colon. There is no period at the end of the list of keywords. Here is a sample to help you format the abstract of your paper in APA style.
Informative abstracts apply to lengthier and more technical research, while descriptive abstracts are more suitable for shorter papers and articles. The best method of determining which abstract type you need to use is to follow the instructions for journal submissions and to read as many other published articles in those journals as possible.
Writing the Abstract for a Research Paper Based on Different Types of Summary and Publication Several types of abstracts exist, and it makes the answer to the question, “how to write an abstract for a research paper” more confusing. Here you have access to the list of research paper abstract types to avoid confusing situations.
The abstract of a research report summarizes the report, but it is not intended to be a substitute for reading the article. Instead, the main purpose of an abstract is to filter information.
