ERIC Structured Abstract Initiative
March 27, 2006
With guidance from its advisory committees, ERIC is developing a structured abstract format for ERIC database records. Structured abstracts, pioneered by the scientific community, provide a template for the presentation of common research study elements such as background, purpose, research design, and conclusions. They provide readable, informative, and accurate summaries that enable users to quickly identify and evaluate research literature.
ERIC announces an initiative that invites contributors to provide structured abstracts for their documents, using the Online Submission System available through My ERIC. Contributors participate by submitting a structured abstract with their full-text research reports, and by providing feedback in the comment box included with the structured abstract template. Although contributors submitting materials online may continue to provide narrative abstracts rather than structured abstracts, ERIC encourages participation in the structured abstract initiative to ensure that valuable information is gathered from the field to guide final implementation of this initiative.
For additional information on the background and benefits of structured abstracts, see Structured Abstracts for Education Research.