Module Components

• Overview
• Assignments

Topics

• Results
• Discussion
• Conclusion
• Abstract
• Tables & Figures
• Squire Guidelines
• From Proposal to Manuscript
• Published DNP Project Manuscripts

NDNP 813 - DNP Project Evaluation and Dissemination

Module 4: DNP Project Manuscript

Abstract

The abstract is a summary of the content of the manuscript. Many readers will only read the Abstract of your DNP project manuscript. Therefore, it should be able to stand alone.  A densely constructed abstract rich with key words will encourage your audience to read your full manuscript.

If you plan on publishing your manuscript or submitting your project for a podium or poster presentation at a conference, a well written abstract may also facilitate the peer-review process.  For conference submissions, the referees are usually only sent the abstract when invited to review the submission. Therefore, the abstract should contain enough information about the submission to allow referees to make a judgement as to whether the project is worth disseminating. 

Subheadings of Abstract

The abstract provides a summary of the DNP project. The abstract should use the following headings:

• Problem & Purpose– describe the problem within the organization in which the DNP project was implemented and give the purpose of your project
• Methods – describe the interventions that were implemented
• Results – give a summary of the primary findings of your project
• Conclusions – briefly summarize the overall conclusions based on purpose and goals of project, and give implications for practice

Click here to access a handout on abstracts.

Common Errors in Writing Abstracts

• Too much introductory material
• Incomplete sentences
• Length or format does not conform to guidelines
• Repetition of title in abstract
• Citation of references or use of abbreviations
• Use of undefined terms in results section, such as “dramatic”
• Conclusions are not fully supported by the data or literature

Tips on Format

• Use simple sentences and the active voice.
• Include key words that interested readers would use as search terms for online searches.
• Write interventions in past tense.
• Hold maximum word count to no more than 350 words.