Writing an Abstract & Making a PowerPoint Presentation

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Fredrick Wambu

Perioperative Conference

Annual Conference

2024

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Learning Objectives

• By the end of this presentation, participants should be able to:-
• Define an abstract
• Outline how to write an abstract
• State the main sections of an abstract
• Describe the development of a power point presentation

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�Abstract

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-Short summary of a study or project .

- It should be 150 to 300 words

- Highlights the major points of the study

- Explains the significance of the study

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Cont: abstract

- Provides the purpose/objectives of the study

- Describes the methodology

- Lessons learnt

- Conclusion

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Why write an abstract?

• Provides readers with quick overview of a study or paper
• Prepares readers to follow the main information
• Helps readers remember key points of your paper

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When to write an abstract

• At the end of the project or study
• When sure of the conclusion of your project or study

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Components of an abstract

1. Background and Aim (2-3 sentences):

• Introduce the study’s background and context
• State the aim of the study

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Cont: Components

2. Methods (1-3 sentences):

• -Briefly mention how the research was carried out
• -Mention sample size/study duration, data collection and analysis methods

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Cont: Components

3. Results (2-4 sentences):

• -Summarize the most important results

4. Conclusion (1 sentence):

• -State the implications and importance of the results.
• -Observe honesty

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Sample Abstract

• Title: Medication safety in the sterile field: one label away
• Background: Every area where medication is present and every procedure with medication-related problems are included in the scope of medication safety
• Medication errors occurring in the intraoperative process are recognized as a serious potential threat to patient safety

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Sample Abstract

• Objectives:
• Aims to determine the practices and opinions of nurses regarding the labeling of medications within the scope of medication safety in the sterile field.
• Methods:
• The research is a phenomenological, qualitative research. The study was conducted with 9 nurses who working in the operating room.
• The data was collected using in-depth, face-to-face interview technique with a semi-structured interview form and a personal information form. The data obtained were analyzed using document and content analysis and thematic analysis.

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Sample Abstract

• Results
• As a result of the participants sharing their experiences, the findings consisted of 5 themes.
• Nurses identified antiseptic and irrigation solutions, local anesthetics, antibiotics, steroids, anticoagulants and antifibrinolytics as the drugs/solutions that should be labeled in the sterile field.
• To use medication labeling in the sterile field as an effective method, it was said that there should be a certain standard and control mechanism in institutions.

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Sample Abstract

• Conclusion:
• With the themes obtained, important information regarding the labeling of drugs in the sterile field was provided and it was recommended that nurses providing care in this field should receive the necessary training within the scope of this process and that current practices should be used in hospitals

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What does the reader pick for an abstract

• What you did
• Why you did it
• How you did it
• What you found
• What it means

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A good abstract

1. Is Short and informative

2. Summarizes the entire paper, usually in one paragraph in block format

3. Is usually about 150-300 words

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Cont., A good abstract

4. Is typically written in the past tense and in the third person

5. Is entirely new text (not cut and pasted from the original paper) that is shortened

6. Stands alone—the reader can understand the abstract on its own

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Do’s

Have a broad and clear title (less than 20 words)

Stick to the conference theme

Use concise and clear language

Observe the word count (150-300)

Write in past tense

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Don’ts

• Avoid abbreviations
• Avoid jargons
• Avoid tables, graphs and other images
• Do not add citations
• Do not include references

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What follows after writing an abstract ?

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What follows is..

1. Oral Presentation (PowerPoint)
2. Poster Presentation (Poster)

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Developing a PowerPoint Presentation or PPT

• A combination of various slides depicting a graphical and visual interpretation of data, to present information in a more creative and interactive manner

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�General Rules for Text Slides

• ‘Less (text) is more and bigger is better’
• Use bullet points; avoid sentences
• Limit text to 6 lines, 6 words
• Use simple language, minimal text
• Use visual aid; avoid reading verbatim
• Avoid using CAPS; they are harder to read

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General Rules for Text Slides

• Use large font sizes

title +36 and body at least +24

• Be consistent in font types and sizes

• Avoid overcrowded look

• Use brief descriptive headings

• Avoid special effects: can be distracting

• Select slide deck carefully;format and contrasts

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�Use of Color and Contrasts

• Lightface on dark background (white on blue)

•Dark face on light background (black on white)

• Avoid red/green, red/yellow, red/blue

• Avoid more than 3 colors on a slide

• Use consistent format and colors in all slides

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Use of tables

• Short clear titles

• Keep it small; 5 rows by 5 columns

• Limit the text

• Use them to make 1-2 key points

• Labels/units must be short /legible

• Use bold and consistent colors

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• Helps display groups by variables

• Summarizes data

While using charts Keep it simple!

• Be consistent with in labels and colors for multiple charts

• Graphs should NOT repeat what is captured in text

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• Breaks the monotony of text slides

• Use only high quality photos/graphics to make a point

• Obtain consent for photos or mask their identity

• Avoid photos or images with a busy background

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Key Points

Abstracts

• Abstracts should be clear and brief

• Use 150-300 words for an abstract

• Follow the abstract standard structure

• Avoid graphs and images in abstracts

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Key Points

• PowerPoints
• Use bullet points not sentences

• Use light fonts on dark background and vice versa • Use charts, tables and photos in PowerPoint presentation

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End

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• Q/A

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References:

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Anahi E. E. & Ajahi V. O. (2021). The American Psychological Association (APA) Referencing Style. Retrieved from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/355926769

Kihungi L. (2023, September). Tips for writing a conference abstract and a power point presentation. ICNC 2023 Annual Conference. Nakuru city.

Maina S. M. (2018). How to write a good proposal. Nairobi: Frajopa Printers.

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Oso W. Y. & Onen D. (2016). A general guide to writing a research proposal and report. Revised ed. Mombasa: Ramco Printing Works Ltd.

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Appreciation

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Special appreciation to all nurses who submitted their abstract

- those whose abstracts were not selected

- those whose abstracts were accepted with corrections

- those whose abstracts were accepted

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