How to Write an Effective Scientific Abstract with Keywords and MeSH Terms

Abstract

In the scientific field, there is a critical need for the rapid and timely dissemination of findings to foster collaborations, seek funding, and establish oneself as a growing expert within their chosen domain. Abstracts are essential for conveying research findings and their significance in a concise manner. A well-written abstract is both unbiased and easily understandable, avoiding hype and jargon that might be difficult for readers without background knowledge in the field to understand. Keywords and Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) are important tools for enhancing the accessibility and discoverability of research. While authors prioritize keywords for search engine optimization, MeSH terms, created by the National Library of Medicine, ensure that articles in medical databases are correctly indexed. Properly choosing and strategically placing keywords with optimal density can effectively increase the visibility and impact of an article. This letter emphasizes the importance of a concise, focused abstract that is easy to read and well-organized, using bullet lists to enhance the dissemination and visibility of scientific research and discusses strategies for choosing and improving keywords.

Keywords

• abstract
• keywords
• medical subject headings
• search engine
• writing