Document (#34363)

Author

Hartley, J.
Betts, L.

Title

Revising and polishing a structured abstract : is it worth the time and effort?

Source

Journal of the American Society for Information Science and Technology. 59(2008) no.12, S.1870-1877

Year

2008

Abstract

Many writers of structured abstracts spend a good deal of time revising and polishing their texts - but is it worth it? Do readers notice the difference? In this paper we report three studies of readers using rating scales to judge (electronically) the clarity of an original and a revised abstract, both as a whole and in its constituent parts. In Study 1, with approximately 250 academics and research workers, we found some significant differences in favor of the revised abstract, but in Study 2, with approximately 210 information scientists, we found no significant effects. Pooling the data from Studies 1 and 2, however, in Study 3, led to significant differences at a higher probability level between the perception of the original and revised abstract as a whole and between the same components as found in Study 1. These results thus indicate that the revised abstract as a whole, as well as certain specific components of it, were judged significantly clearer than the original one. In short, the results of these experiments show that readers can and do perceive differences between original and revised texts - sometimes - and that therefore these efforts are worth the time and effort.

Theme

Referieren

Similar documents (author)

1. Hartley, R.J.: Research in subject access : anticipating the user (1988) 5.16

   5.164313 = sum of:
     5.164313 = weight(author_txt:hartley in 5273) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.164313 = fieldWeight in 5273, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         8.2629 = idf(docFreq=30, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=5273)
   

2. Hartley, J.: Designing electronic text : the role of print-based research (1987) 5.16

   5.164313 = sum of:
     5.164313 = weight(author_txt:hartley in 7756) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.164313 = fieldWeight in 7756, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         8.2629 = idf(docFreq=30, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=7756)
   

3. Hartley, D.: ¬A 'laboratory' method for the comparison of retrieval effectiveness in manual and online searching (1984) 5.16

   5.164313 = sum of:
     5.164313 = weight(author_txt:hartley in 8919) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.164313 = fieldWeight in 8919, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         8.2629 = idf(docFreq=30, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=8919)
   

4. Hartley, R.J.: Reference Manager for Windows (1994) 5.16

   5.164313 = sum of:
     5.164313 = weight(author_txt:hartley in 1572) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.164313 = fieldWeight in 1572, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         8.2629 = idf(docFreq=30, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=1572)
   

5. Hartley, R.J.: LISA on CD-ROM : an evaluation (1989) 5.16

   5.164313 = sum of:
     5.164313 = weight(author_txt:hartley in 2529) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
       5.164313 = fieldWeight in 2529, product of:
         1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
           1.0 = termFreq=1.0
         8.2629 = idf(docFreq=30, maxDocs=44218)
         0.625 = fieldNorm(doc=2529)
   

Similar documents (content)

1. Hirons, J.: Seriality: What Have We Accomplished? What's Next? (2003) 0.16

   0.15710385 = sum of:
     0.15710385 = product of:
       0.56108516 = sum of:
         0.015192679 = weight(abstract_txt:these in 5511) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.015192679 = score(doc=5511,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.060996987 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.194353 = boost
               3.1881294 = idf(docFreq=4957, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.24907261 = fieldWeight in 5511, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.1881294 = idf(docFreq=4957, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5511)
         0.0585901 = weight(abstract_txt:effort in 5511) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.0585901 = score(doc=5511,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.1310402 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.4293387 = boost
               5.723078 = idf(docFreq=392, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.44711545 = fieldWeight in 5511, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               5.723078 = idf(docFreq=392, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5511)
         0.033469312 = weight(abstract_txt:time in 5511) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.033469312 = score(doc=5511,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.10327218 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.5540686 = boost
               4.148331 = idf(docFreq=1897, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.32408836 = fieldWeight in 5511, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.148331 = idf(docFreq=1897, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5511)
         0.050799936 = weight(abstract_txt:significant in 5511) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.050799936 = score(doc=5511,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.13639368 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.785976 = boost
               4.76737 = idf(docFreq=1021, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.3724508 = fieldWeight in 5511, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.76737 = idf(docFreq=1021, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5511)
         0.057330634 = weight(abstract_txt:differences in 5511) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.057330634 = score(doc=5511,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.14784613 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.8594456 = boost
               4.9634852 = idf(docFreq=839, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.3877723 = fieldWeight in 5511, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.9634852 = idf(docFreq=839, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5511)
         0.10633794 = weight(abstract_txt:readers in 5511) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.10633794 = score(doc=5511,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.2231915 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.2846377 = boost
               6.0984654 = idf(docFreq=269, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.4764426 = fieldWeight in 5511, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.0984654 = idf(docFreq=269, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5511)
         0.23936455 = weight(abstract_txt:revised in 5511) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.23936455 = score(doc=5511,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.4545081 = queryWeight, product of:
               4.208949 = boost
               6.7410603 = idf(docFreq=141, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.5266453 = fieldWeight in 5511, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.7410603 = idf(docFreq=141, maxDocs=44218)
               0.078125 = fieldNorm(doc=5511)
       0.28 = coord(7/25)
   

2. Cross, C.; Oppenheim, C.: ¬A genre analysis of scientific abstracts (2006) 0.13

   0.12914403 = sum of:
     0.12914403 = product of:
       0.46122867 = sum of:
         0.064864054 = weight(abstract_txt:clearer in 5603) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.064864054 = score(doc=5603,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.141183 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.0490812 = boost
               8.401051 = idf(docFreq=26, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.45943245 = fieldWeight in 5603, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               8.401051 = idf(docFreq=26, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=5603)
         0.010634875 = weight(abstract_txt:these in 5603) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.010634875 = score(doc=5603,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.060996987 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.194353 = boost
               3.1881294 = idf(docFreq=4957, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.17435083 = fieldWeight in 5603, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.1881294 = idf(docFreq=4957, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=5603)
         0.035245392 = weight(abstract_txt:structured in 5603) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.035245392 = score(doc=5603,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.11844715 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.358924 = boost
               5.4411373 = idf(docFreq=520, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.29756218 = fieldWeight in 5603, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               5.4411373 = idf(docFreq=520, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=5603)
         0.04101307 = weight(abstract_txt:effort in 5603) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.04101307 = score(doc=5603,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.1310402 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.4293387 = boost
               5.723078 = idf(docFreq=392, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.31298083 = fieldWeight in 5603, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               5.723078 = idf(docFreq=392, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=5603)
         0.023428518 = weight(abstract_txt:time in 5603) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.023428518 = score(doc=5603,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.10327218 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.5540686 = boost
               4.148331 = idf(docFreq=1897, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.22686186 = fieldWeight in 5603, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.148331 = idf(docFreq=1897, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=5603)
         0.024837378 = weight(abstract_txt:study in 5603) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.024837378 = score(doc=5603,freq=2.0), product of:
             0.09379799 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.7101911 = boost
               3.423806 = idf(docFreq=3916, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.2647965 = fieldWeight in 5603, product of:
               1.4142135 = tf(freq=2.0), with freq of:
                 2.0 = termFreq=2.0
               3.423806 = idf(docFreq=3916, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=5603)
         0.26120538 = weight(abstract_txt:abstract in 5603) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.26120538 = score(doc=5603,freq=4.0), product of:
             0.38495013 = queryWeight, product of:
               3.873514 = boost
               6.203826 = idf(docFreq=242, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.67854345 = fieldWeight in 5603, product of:
               2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                 4.0 = termFreq=4.0
               6.203826 = idf(docFreq=242, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=5603)
       0.28 = coord(7/25)
   

3. Hartley, J.; Betts, L.: ¬The effects of spacing and titles on judgments of the effectiveness of structured abstracts (2007) 0.13

   0.12687151 = sum of:
     0.12687151 = product of:
       0.4531125 = sum of:
         0.029461509 = weight(abstract_txt:studies in 1325) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.029461509 = score(doc=1325,freq=3.0), product of:
             0.07287624 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.065923 = boost
               4.26796 = idf(docFreq=1683, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.4042677 = fieldWeight in 1325, product of:
               1.7320508 = tf(freq=3.0), with freq of:
                 3.0 = termFreq=3.0
               4.26796 = idf(docFreq=1683, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=1325)
         0.02126975 = weight(abstract_txt:these in 1325) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.02126975 = score(doc=1325,freq=4.0), product of:
             0.060996987 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.194353 = boost
               3.1881294 = idf(docFreq=4957, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.34870166 = fieldWeight in 1325, product of:
               2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                 4.0 = termFreq=4.0
               3.1881294 = idf(docFreq=4957, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=1325)
         0.09325054 = weight(abstract_txt:structured in 1325) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.09325054 = score(doc=1325,freq=7.0), product of:
             0.11844715 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.358924 = boost
               5.4411373 = idf(docFreq=520, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.78727555 = fieldWeight in 1325, product of:
               2.6457512 = tf(freq=7.0), with freq of:
                 7.0 = termFreq=7.0
               5.4411373 = idf(docFreq=520, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=1325)
         0.035125356 = weight(abstract_txt:study in 1325) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.035125356 = score(doc=1325,freq=4.0), product of:
             0.09379799 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.7101911 = boost
               3.423806 = idf(docFreq=3916, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.3744788 = fieldWeight in 1325, product of:
               2.0 = tf(freq=4.0), with freq of:
                 4.0 = termFreq=4.0
               3.423806 = idf(docFreq=3916, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=1325)
         0.07443656 = weight(abstract_txt:readers in 1325) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.07443656 = score(doc=1325,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.2231915 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.2846377 = boost
               6.0984654 = idf(docFreq=269, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.33350983 = fieldWeight in 1325, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.0984654 = idf(docFreq=269, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=1325)
         0.068966106 = weight(abstract_txt:original in 1325) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.068966106 = score(doc=1325,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.23346592 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.6981099 = boost
               5.4016213 = idf(docFreq=541, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.29540116 = fieldWeight in 1325, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               5.4016213 = idf(docFreq=541, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=1325)
         0.13060269 = weight(abstract_txt:abstract in 1325) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.13060269 = score(doc=1325,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.38495013 = queryWeight, product of:
               3.873514 = boost
               6.203826 = idf(docFreq=242, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.33927172 = fieldWeight in 1325, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.203826 = idf(docFreq=242, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0546875 = fieldNorm(doc=1325)
       0.28 = coord(7/25)
   

4. Callahan, P.F.: ISBD(S) revised edition and AACR2 1988 revision : a comparison (1992) 0.11

   0.11308732 = sum of:
     0.11308732 = product of:
       0.5654366 = sum of:
         0.023372743 = weight(abstract_txt:between in 5993) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.023372743 = score(doc=5993,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.0719843 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.2974702 = boost
               3.4633842 = idf(docFreq=3764, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.32469225 = fieldWeight in 5993, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.4633842 = idf(docFreq=3764, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5993)
         0.067802005 = weight(abstract_txt:texts in 5993) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.067802005 = score(doc=5993,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.12790747 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.41215 = boost
               5.6542544 = idf(docFreq=420, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.53008634 = fieldWeight in 5993, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               5.6542544 = idf(docFreq=420, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5993)
         0.068796754 = weight(abstract_txt:differences in 5993) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.068796754 = score(doc=5993,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.14784613 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.8594456 = boost
               4.9634852 = idf(docFreq=839, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.46532673 = fieldWeight in 5993, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.9634852 = idf(docFreq=839, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5993)
         0.118227616 = weight(abstract_txt:original in 5993) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.118227616 = score(doc=5993,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.23346592 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.6981099 = boost
               5.4016213 = idf(docFreq=541, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.506402 = fieldWeight in 5993, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               5.4016213 = idf(docFreq=541, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5993)
         0.2872375 = weight(abstract_txt:revised in 5993) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.2872375 = score(doc=5993,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.4545081 = queryWeight, product of:
               4.208949 = boost
               6.7410603 = idf(docFreq=141, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.6319744 = fieldWeight in 5993, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.7410603 = idf(docFreq=141, maxDocs=44218)
               0.09375 = fieldNorm(doc=5993)
       0.2 = coord(5/25)
   

5. Bilal, D.; Wang, P.: Children's conceptual structures of science categories and the design of Web directories (2005) 0.10

   0.09905816 = sum of:
     0.09905816 = product of:
       0.35377914 = sum of:
         0.012154143 = weight(abstract_txt:these in 4341) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.012154143 = score(doc=4341,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.060996987 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.194353 = boost
               3.1881294 = idf(docFreq=4957, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.19925809 = fieldWeight in 4341, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.1881294 = idf(docFreq=4957, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4341)
         0.0155818295 = weight(abstract_txt:between in 4341) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.0155818295 = score(doc=4341,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.0719843 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.2974702 = boost
               3.4633842 = idf(docFreq=3764, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.21646151 = fieldWeight in 4341, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.4633842 = idf(docFreq=3764, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4341)
         0.03366272 = weight(abstract_txt:found in 4341) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.03366272 = score(doc=4341,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.12029797 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.677288 = boost
               4.4772453 = idf(docFreq=1365, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.27982783 = fieldWeight in 4341, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.4772453 = idf(docFreq=1365, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4341)
         0.020071631 = weight(abstract_txt:study in 4341) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.020071631 = score(doc=4341,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.09379799 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.7101911 = boost
               3.423806 = idf(docFreq=3916, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.21398787 = fieldWeight in 4341, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               3.423806 = idf(docFreq=3916, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4341)
         0.045864508 = weight(abstract_txt:differences in 4341) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.045864508 = score(doc=4341,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.14784613 = queryWeight, product of:
               1.8594456 = boost
               4.9634852 = idf(docFreq=839, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.31021783 = fieldWeight in 4341, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               4.9634852 = idf(docFreq=839, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4341)
         0.077184066 = weight(abstract_txt:whole in 4341) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.077184066 = score(doc=4341,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.2091754 = queryWeight, product of:
               2.2117386 = boost
               5.9038734 = idf(docFreq=327, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.3689921 = fieldWeight in 4341, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               5.9038734 = idf(docFreq=327, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4341)
         0.14926022 = weight(abstract_txt:abstract in 4341) [ClassicSimilarity], result of:
           0.14926022 = score(doc=4341,freq=1.0), product of:
             0.38495013 = queryWeight, product of:
               3.873514 = boost
               6.203826 = idf(docFreq=242, maxDocs=44218)
               0.01601916 = queryNorm
             0.38773912 = fieldWeight in 4341, product of:
               1.0 = tf(freq=1.0), with freq of:
                 1.0 = termFreq=1.0
               6.203826 = idf(docFreq=242, maxDocs=44218)
               0.0625 = fieldNorm(doc=4341)
       0.28 = coord(7/25)