2.2 Read some example take-home messages from published papers

Some Abstracts in published papers are short just because they’re short, not because the journal stipulates a particularly low word count. Below is one such example.

Using Instagram data from 166 individuals, we applied machine learning tools to successfully identify markers of depression. Statistical features were computationally extracted from 43,950 participant Instagram photos, using color analysis, metadata components, and algorithmic face detection. Resulting models outperformed general practitioners’ average unassisted diagnostic success rate for depression. These results held even when the analysis was restricted to posts made before depressed individuals were first diagnosed. Human ratings of photo attributes (happy, sad, etc.) were weaker predictors of depression, and were uncorrelated with computationally-generated features. These results suggest new avenues for early screening and detection of mental illness.

Reece AG and Danforth CM EPJ Data Science 2017 Instagram photos reveal predictive markers of depression


Photo by Alec Douglas on Unsplash

Because this Abstract is so quick and easy to read, understand, take home and tell others about, it’s effectively a take-home message. You can immediately deduce WHY the authors did what they did, WHAT they did and WHAT they found, and HOW how their findings can make a difference to the world.

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