Striving for Modernity: Layout and Abstracts in the Biomedical Literature

Carlo Galli, Maria Teresa Colangelo and Stefano Guizzardi
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Carlo Galli: Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43126 Parma, Italy
Maria Teresa Colangelo: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Histology and Embryology Lab, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43126 Parma, Italy
Stefano Guizzardi: Department of Medicine and Surgery, Histology and Embryology Lab, University of Parma, Via Volturno 39, 43126 Parma, Italy

Publications, 2020, vol. 8, issue 3, 1-14

Abstract: Most academic journals have a fairly consistent look: they are structured similarly, their text is divided into similar sections; for example, they have an abstract at the beginning of the manuscript, and their text is usually organized in two columns. There may be different reasons for this similarity, ranging from the need to contain publication costs by using less page space to conforming to an internationally well-accepted format that may be perceived as the hallmark of academic articles. We surveyed 35 medical journals founded before 1960 and looked for their change in format over time and how this was experienced by and explained to readers. We then discussed what recent research has shown about the effects of layout on reading, looking for further explanations as to why this format was so successful.

Keywords: layout; academic publishing; abstract (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: A2 D83 L82 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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