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- How to Write an Abstract for a Dissertation or Thesis
- Doing a PhD
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What is a Thesis or Dissertation Abstract?
The Cambridge English Dictionary defines an abstract in academic writing as being “ a few sentences that give the main ideas in an article or a scientific paper ” and the Collins English Dictionary says “ an abstract of an article, document, or speech is a short piece of writing that gives the main points of it ”.
Whether you’re writing up your Master’s dissertation or PhD thesis, the abstract will be a key element of this document that you’ll want to make sure you give proper attention to.
What is the Purpose of an Abstract?
The aim of a thesis abstract is to give the reader a broad overview of what your research project was about and what you found that was novel, before he or she decides to read the entire thesis. The reality here though is that very few people will read the entire thesis, and not because they’re necessarily disinterested but because practically it’s too large a document for most people to have the time to read. The exception to this is your PhD examiner, however know that even they may not read the entire length of the document.
Some people may still skip to and read specific sections throughout your thesis such as the methodology, but the fact is that the abstract will be all that most read and will therefore be the section they base their opinions about your research on. In short, make sure you write a good, well-structured abstract.
How Long Should an Abstract Be?
If you’re a PhD student, having written your 100,000-word thesis, the abstract will be the 300 word summary included at the start of the thesis that succinctly explains the motivation for your study (i.e. why this research was needed), the main work you did (i.e. the focus of each chapter), what you found (the results) and concluding with how your research study contributed to new knowledge within your field.
Woodrow Wilson, the 28th President of the United States of America, once famously said:
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The point here is that it’s easier to talk open-endedly about a subject that you know a lot about than it is to condense the key points into a 10-minute speech; the same applies for an abstract. Three hundred words is not a lot of words which makes it even more difficult to condense three (or more) years of research into a coherent, interesting story.
What Makes a Good PhD Thesis Abstract?
Whilst the abstract is one of the first sections in your PhD thesis, practically it’s probably the last aspect that you’ll ending up writing before sending the document to print. The reason being that you can’t write a summary about what you did, what you found and what it means until you’ve done the work.
A good abstract is one that can clearly explain to the reader in 300 words:
- What your research field actually is,
- What the gap in knowledge was in your field,
- The overarching aim and objectives of your PhD in response to these gaps,
- What methods you employed to achieve these,
- You key results and findings,
- How your work has added to further knowledge in your field of study.
Another way to think of this structure is:
- Introduction,
- Aims and objectives,
- Discussion,
- Conclusion.
Following this ‘formulaic’ approach to writing the abstract should hopefully make it a little easier to write but you can already see here that there’s a lot of information to convey in a very limited number of words.
How Do You Write a Good PhD Thesis Abstract?
The biggest challenge you’ll have is getting all the 6 points mentioned above across in your abstract within the limit of 300 words . Your particular university may give some leeway in going a few words over this but it’s good practice to keep within this; the art of succinctly getting your information across is an important skill for a researcher to have and one that you’ll be called on to use regularly as you write papers for peer review.
Keep It Concise
Every word in the abstract is important so make sure you focus on only the key elements of your research and the main outcomes and significance of your project that you want the reader to know about. You may have come across incidental findings during your research which could be interesting to discuss but this should not happen in the abstract as you simply don’t have enough words. Furthermore, make sure everything you talk about in your thesis is actually described in the main thesis.
Make a Unique Point Each Sentence
Keep the sentences short and to the point. Each sentence should give the reader new, useful information about your research so there’s no need to write out your project title again. Give yourself one or two sentences to introduce your subject area and set the context for your project. Then another sentence or two to explain the gap in the knowledge; there’s no need or expectation for you to include references in the abstract.
Explain Your Research
Some people prefer to write their overarching aim whilst others set out their research questions as they correspond to the structure of their thesis chapters; the approach you use is up to you, as long as the reader can understand what your dissertation or thesis had set out to achieve. Knowing this will help the reader better understand if your results help to answer the research questions or if further work is needed.
Keep It Factual
Keep the content of the abstract factual; that is to say that you should avoid bringing too much or any opinion into it, which inevitably can make the writing seem vague in the points you’re trying to get across and even lacking in structure.
Write, Edit and Then Rewrite
Spend suitable time editing your text, and if necessary, completely re-writing it. Show the abstract to others and ask them to explain what they understand about your research – are they able to explain back to you each of the 6 structure points, including why your project was needed, the research questions and results, and the impact it had on your research field? It’s important that you’re able to convey what new knowledge you contributed to your field but be mindful when writing your abstract that you don’t inadvertently overstate the conclusions, impact and significance of your work.
Thesis and Dissertation Abstract Examples
Perhaps the best way to understand how to write a thesis abstract is to look at examples of what makes a good and bad abstract.
Example of A Bad Abstract
Let’s start with an example of a bad thesis abstract:
In this project on “The Analysis of the Structural Integrity of 3D Printed Polymers for use in Aircraft”, my research looked at how 3D printing of materials can help the aviation industry in the manufacture of planes. Plane parts can be made at a lower cost using 3D printing and made lighter than traditional components. This project investigated the structural integrity of EBM manufactured components, which could revolutionise the aviation industry.
What Makes This a Bad Abstract
Hopefully you’ll have spotted some of the reasons this would be considered a poor abstract, not least because the author used up valuable words by repeating the lengthy title of the project in the abstract.
Working through our checklist of the 6 key points you want to convey to the reader:
- There has been an attempt to introduce the research area , albeit half-way through the abstract but it’s not clear if this is a materials science project about 3D printing or is it about aircraft design.
- There’s no explanation about where the gap in the knowledge is that this project attempted to address.
- We can see that this project was focussed on the topic of structural integrity of materials in aircraft but the actual research aims or objectives haven’t been defined.
- There’s no mention at all of what the author actually did to investigate structural integrity. For example was this an experimental study involving real aircraft, or something in the lab, computer simulations etc.
- The author also doesn’t tell us a single result of his research, let alone the key findings !
- There’s a bold claim in the last sentence of the abstract that this project could revolutionise the aviation industry, and this may well be the case, but based on the abstract alone there is no evidence to support this as it’s not even clear what the author did .
This is an extreme example but is a good way to illustrate just how unhelpful a poorly written abstract can be. At only 71 words long, it definitely hasn’t maximised the amount of information that could be presented and the what they have presented has lacked clarity and structure.
A final point to note is the use of the EBM acronym, which stands for Electron Beam Melting in the context of 3D printing; this is a niche acronym for the author to assume that the reader would know the meaning of. It’s best to avoid acronyms in your abstract all together even if it’s something that you might expect most people to know about, unless you specifically define the meaning first.
Example of A Good Abstract
Having seen an example of a bad thesis abstract, now lets look at an example of a good PhD thesis abstract written about the same (fictional) project:
Additive manufacturing (AM) of titanium alloys has the potential to enable cheaper and lighter components to be produced with customised designs for use in aircraft engines. Whilst the proof-of-concept of these have been promising, the structural integrity of AM engine parts in response to full thrust and temperature variations is not clear.
The primary aim of this project was to determine the fracture modes and mechanisms of AM components designed for use in Boeing 747 engines. To achieve this an explicit finite element (FE) model was developed to simulate the environment and parameters that the engine is exposed to during flight. The FE model was validated using experimental data replicating the environmental parameters in a laboratory setting using ten AM engine components provided by the industry sponsor. The validated FE model was then used to investigate the extent of crack initiation and propagation as the environment parameters were adjusted.
This project was the first to investigate fracture patterns in AM titanium components used in aircraft engines; the key finding was that the presence of cavities within the structures due to errors in the printing process, significantly increased the risk of fracture. Secondly, the simulations showed that cracks formed within AM parts were more likely to worsen and lead to component failure at subzero temperatures when compared to conventionally manufactured parts. This has demonstrated an important safety concern which needs to be addressed before AM parts can be used in commercial aircraft.
What Makes This a Good Abstract
Having read this ‘good abstract’ you should have a much better understand about what the subject area is about, where the gap in the knowledge was, the aim of the project, the methods that were used, key results and finally the significance of these results. To break these points down further, from this good abstract we now know that:
- The research area is around additive manufacturing (i.e. 3D printing) of materials for use in aircraft.
- The gap in knowledge was how these materials will behave structural when used in aircraft engines.
- The aim was specifically to investigate how the components can fracture.
- The methods used to investigate this were a combination of computational and lab based experimental modelling.
- The key findings were the increased risk of fracture of these components due to the way they are manufactured.
- The significance of these findings were that it showed a potential risk of component failure that could comprise the safety of passengers and crew on the aircraft.
The abstract text has a much clearer flow through these different points in how it’s written and has made much better use of the available word count. Acronyms have even been used twice in this good abstract but they were clearly defined the first time they were introduced in the text so that there was no confusion about their meaning.
The abstract you write for your dissertation or thesis should succinctly explain to the reader why the work of your research was needed, what you did, what you found and what it means. Most people that come across your thesis, including any future employers, are likely to read only your abstract. Even just for this reason alone, it’s so important that you write the best abstract you can; this will not only convey your research effectively but also put you in the best light possible as a researcher.
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- How to Write an Abstract for a Dissertation
Written by Hannah Slack
Every PhD student will have to write an abstract. Whether it’s for a conference paper , journal article or your thesis , the abstract is an important part for many academic activities. Although only a single short paragraph, writing one effectively takes practice.
This page will take you through what a dissertation abstract is, why it’s so important and how to write one.
On this page
What is an academic abstract.
An academic abstract is a short and concise summary of research . It should cover the aim or research question of your work, your methodology, results and the wider implications of your conclusions. All this needs to be covered in around 200-300 words .
One of the common mistakes people make when writing abstracts is not understanding their purpose. An abstract is not for the author, it’s for the reader . To summarise your research, as the person who knows it best, may seem easy. But to be able to communicate the complexities and importance of your work to someone else, likely outside of your field, can be difficult.
When will I need to write an academic abstract?
There are many different places that you’ll find abstracts. Some of the most common ones include:
- Grant and funding applications
- Journal articles
- Conference applications
- Conference proceedings
This guide primarily focuses on the dissertation abstract, which is the most common form of this kind of text.
What’s the difference between an abstract and an introduction?
The main differences between a PhD dissertation abstract and an introduction are the purpose and the length. An abstract is a short, paragraph-sized summary of the whole thesis, covering context, your research and results. Whereas an introduction should be much longer and only cover the context of your work. An introduction is designed to explain the background of your work and so will take up at least an entire page.
Why are abstracts important?
Abstracts are important because they are a quick and easy way to communicate your work. In many ways, academic abstracts are a promotional tool and so should be considered carefully.
For your thesis, it’s the first thing your examiners will read, forming their expectations for the rest of the dissertation.
In journal articles, their purpose is to convince the reader that they should read your article. If you’re applying for a conference, the abstract gives the organiser a taster of your paper so they can decide whether it’s suitable.
Effectively, your abstract is the first impression someone gets of your research and so it’s important to put your best foot forward.
How to write a PhD abstract
How you write a dissertation abstract will largely depend on what it’s for. For a PhD dissertation or journal article, you should have already written up the research which the abstract will summarise. You should focus on making sure your summary is an honest representation of the larger written work. However, for a conference application it’s likely you won’t yet have written the paper. In this instance, the abstract might focus more on the broader themes you intend to comment on and your methodology.
Whatever the intended purpose, all abstracts should broadly follow the same structure. To help you, we’ve put together a template to make sure you include all the important points.
PhD abstract format
Because a lot of information needs to be packed into a short paragraph, an abstract is easier to write when you break it down into the key elements. For a first draft, spend a few minutes on each of the six steps, only writing down one or two sentences.
- Rationale – Ask yourself why you are researching the topic and what is the context for your work. Here you should communicate the purpose of your study within the wider field.
- Research question – Now you should specify what the exact goal of this piece of research is. What question are you providing the answer for?
- Evidence and methods – After discussing the broader purpose of your work you now need to let the reader know what you have actually done. Try to summarise your methods and evidence with a few keywords to keep if brief. Some examples include qualitative, quantitative, archival or experimental.
- Results – Here, you should summarise your outcomes and highlight what is new or significant about your findings.
- Conclusion – The conclusion should relate back to your rationale and research question. Ask yourself, ‘what do the results mean?’
- Implications and applications – Lastly, the reader needs to know why your results are important to the field. You need to specify what is significant about this work and how it can be useful.
Once you have your framework it can be edited for a more natural flow. You may find that some points naturally merge into one sentence and others need some elaboration. But remember, the abstract must be short and concise so don’t be tempted to extend areas unnecessarily. Once you have a draft that you are happy with, consider asking for feedback from other PhD students or your supervisor.
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What happens during a typical PhD, and when? We've summarised the main milestones of a doctoral research journey.
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The PhD thesis is the most important part of a doctoral degree. This page will introduce you to what you need to know about the PhD dissertation.
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Generate accurate APA citations for free
- Knowledge Base
- APA Style 7th edition
- How to write and format an APA abstract
APA Abstract (2020) | Formatting, Length, and Keywords
Published on November 6, 2020 by Raimo Streefkerk . Revised on January 17, 2024.
An APA abstract is a comprehensive summary of your paper in which you briefly address the research problem , hypotheses , methods , results , and implications of your research. It’s placed on a separate page right after the title page and is usually no longer than 250 words.
Most professional papers that are submitted for publication require an abstract. Student papers typically don’t need an abstract, unless instructed otherwise.
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Table of contents
How to format the abstract, how to write an apa abstract, which keywords to use, frequently asked questions, apa abstract example.
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Formatting instructions
Follow these five steps to format your abstract in APA Style:
- Insert a running head (for a professional paper—not needed for a student paper) and page number.
- Set page margins to 1 inch (2.54 cm).
- Write “Abstract” (bold and centered) at the top of the page.
- Do not indent the first line.
- Double-space the text.
- Use a legible font like Times New Roman (12 pt.).
- Limit the length to 250 words.
- Indent the first line 0.5 inches.
- Write the label “Keywords:” (italicized).
- Write keywords in lowercase letters.
- Separate keywords with commas.
- Do not use a period after the keywords.
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The abstract is a self-contained piece of text that informs the reader what your research is about. It’s best to write the abstract after you’re finished with the rest of your paper.
The questions below may help structure your abstract. Try answering them in one to three sentences each.
- What is the problem? Outline the objective, research questions , and/or hypotheses .
- What has been done? Explain your research methods .
- What did you discover? Summarize the key findings and conclusions .
- What do the findings mean? Summarize the discussion and recommendations .
Check out our guide on how to write an abstract for more guidance and an annotated example.
Guide: writing an abstract
At the end of the abstract, you may include a few keywords that will be used for indexing if your paper is published on a database. Listing your keywords will help other researchers find your work.
Choosing relevant keywords is essential. Try to identify keywords that address your topic, method, or population. APA recommends including three to five keywords.
An abstract is a concise summary of an academic text (such as a journal article or dissertation ). It serves two main purposes:
- To help potential readers determine the relevance of your paper for their own research.
- To communicate your key findings to those who don’t have time to read the whole paper.
Abstracts are often indexed along with keywords on academic databases, so they make your work more easily findable. Since the abstract is the first thing any reader sees, it’s important that it clearly and accurately summarizes the contents of your paper.
An APA abstract is around 150–250 words long. However, always check your target journal’s guidelines and don’t exceed the specified word count.
In an APA Style paper , the abstract is placed on a separate page after the title page (page 2).
Avoid citing sources in your abstract . There are two reasons for this:
- The abstract should focus on your original research, not on the work of others.
- The abstract should be self-contained and fully understandable without reference to other sources.
There are some circumstances where you might need to mention other sources in an abstract: for example, if your research responds directly to another study or focuses on the work of a single theorist. In general, though, don’t include citations unless absolutely necessary.
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Streefkerk, R. (2024, January 17). APA Abstract (2020) | Formatting, Length, and Keywords. Scribbr. Retrieved August 19, 2024, from https://www.scribbr.com/apa-style/apa-abstract/
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Writing an abstract - a six point checklist (with samples)
Posted in: abstract , dissertations
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The abstract is a vital part of any research paper. It is the shop front for your work, and the first stop for your reader. It should provide a clear and succinct summary of your study, and encourage your readers to read more. An effective abstract, therefore should answer the following questions:
- Why did you do this study or project?
- What did you do and how?
- What did you find?
- What do your findings mean?
So here's our run down of the key elements of a well-written abstract.
- Size - A succinct and well written abstract should be between approximately 100- 250 words.
- Background - An effective abstract usually includes some scene-setting information which might include what is already known about the subject, related to the paper in question (a few short sentences).
- Purpose - The abstract should also set out the purpose of your research, in other words, what is not known about the subject and hence what the study intended to examine (or what the paper seeks to present).
- Methods - The methods section should contain enough information to enable the reader to understand what was done, and how. It should include brief details of the research design, sample size, duration of study, and so on.
- Results - The results section is the most important part of the abstract. This is because readers who skim an abstract do so to learn about the findings of the study. The results section should therefore contain as much detail about the findings as the journal word count permits.
- Conclusion - This section should contain the most important take-home message of the study, expressed in a few precisely worded sentences. Usually, the finding highlighted here relates to the primary outcomes of the study. However, other important or unexpected findings should also be mentioned. It is also customary, but not essential, to express an opinion about the theoretical or practical implications of the findings, or the importance of their findings for the field. Thus, the conclusions may contain three elements:
- The primary take-home message.
- Any additional findings of importance.
- Implications for future studies.
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Example Abstract 2: Engineering Development and validation of a three-dimensional finite element model of the pelvic bone.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation bone](https://i0.wp.com/blogs.bath.ac.uk/academic-skills/wp-content/uploads/sites/84/2016/05/bone-300x121.jpg?resize=709%2C286)
Abstract from: Dalstra, M., Huiskes, R. and Van Erning, L., 1995. Development and validation of a three-dimensional finite element model of the pelvic bone. Journal of biomechanical engineering, 117(3), pp.272-278.
And finally... A word on abstract types and styles
Abstract types can differ according to subject discipline. You need to determine therefore which type of abstract you should include with your paper. Here are two of the most common types with examples.
Informative Abstract
The majority of abstracts are informative. While they still do not critique or evaluate a work, they do more than describe it. A good informative abstract acts as a surrogate for the work itself. That is, the researcher presents and explains all the main arguments and the important results and evidence in the paper. An informative abstract includes the information that can be found in a descriptive abstract [purpose, methods, scope] but it also includes the results and conclusions of the research and the recommendations of the author. The length varies according to discipline, but an informative abstract is usually no more than 300 words in length.
Descriptive Abstract A descriptive abstract indicates the type of information found in the work. It makes no judgements about the work, nor does it provide results or conclusions of the research. It does incorporate key words found in the text and may include the purpose, methods, and scope of the research. Essentially, the descriptive abstract only describes the work being summarised. Some researchers consider it an outline of the work, rather than a summary. Descriptive abstracts are usually very short, 100 words or less.
Adapted from Andrade C. How to write a good abstract for a scientific paper or conference presentation. Indian J Psychiatry. 2011 Apr;53(2):172-5. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.82558. PMID: 21772657; PMCID: PMC3136027 .
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Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper
Definition and Purpose of Abstracts
An abstract is a short summary of your (published or unpublished) research paper, usually about a paragraph (c. 6-7 sentences, 150-250 words) long. A well-written abstract serves multiple purposes:
- an abstract lets readers get the gist or essence of your paper or article quickly, in order to decide whether to read the full paper;
- an abstract prepares readers to follow the detailed information, analyses, and arguments in your full paper;
- and, later, an abstract helps readers remember key points from your paper.
It’s also worth remembering that search engines and bibliographic databases use abstracts, as well as the title, to identify key terms for indexing your published paper. So what you include in your abstract and in your title are crucial for helping other researchers find your paper or article.
If you are writing an abstract for a course paper, your professor may give you specific guidelines for what to include and how to organize your abstract. Similarly, academic journals often have specific requirements for abstracts. So in addition to following the advice on this page, you should be sure to look for and follow any guidelines from the course or journal you’re writing for.
The Contents of an Abstract
Abstracts contain most of the following kinds of information in brief form. The body of your paper will, of course, develop and explain these ideas much more fully. As you will see in the samples below, the proportion of your abstract that you devote to each kind of information—and the sequence of that information—will vary, depending on the nature and genre of the paper that you are summarizing in your abstract. And in some cases, some of this information is implied, rather than stated explicitly. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association , which is widely used in the social sciences, gives specific guidelines for what to include in the abstract for different kinds of papers—for empirical studies, literature reviews or meta-analyses, theoretical papers, methodological papers, and case studies.
Here are the typical kinds of information found in most abstracts:
- the context or background information for your research; the general topic under study; the specific topic of your research
- the central questions or statement of the problem your research addresses
- what’s already known about this question, what previous research has done or shown
- the main reason(s) , the exigency, the rationale , the goals for your research—Why is it important to address these questions? Are you, for example, examining a new topic? Why is that topic worth examining? Are you filling a gap in previous research? Applying new methods to take a fresh look at existing ideas or data? Resolving a dispute within the literature in your field? . . .
- your research and/or analytical methods
- your main findings , results , or arguments
- the significance or implications of your findings or arguments.
Your abstract should be intelligible on its own, without a reader’s having to read your entire paper. And in an abstract, you usually do not cite references—most of your abstract will describe what you have studied in your research and what you have found and what you argue in your paper. In the body of your paper, you will cite the specific literature that informs your research.
When to Write Your Abstract
Although you might be tempted to write your abstract first because it will appear as the very first part of your paper, it’s a good idea to wait to write your abstract until after you’ve drafted your full paper, so that you know what you’re summarizing.
What follows are some sample abstracts in published papers or articles, all written by faculty at UW-Madison who come from a variety of disciplines. We have annotated these samples to help you see the work that these authors are doing within their abstracts.
Choosing Verb Tenses within Your Abstract
The social science sample (Sample 1) below uses the present tense to describe general facts and interpretations that have been and are currently true, including the prevailing explanation for the social phenomenon under study. That abstract also uses the present tense to describe the methods, the findings, the arguments, and the implications of the findings from their new research study. The authors use the past tense to describe previous research.
The humanities sample (Sample 2) below uses the past tense to describe completed events in the past (the texts created in the pulp fiction industry in the 1970s and 80s) and uses the present tense to describe what is happening in those texts, to explain the significance or meaning of those texts, and to describe the arguments presented in the article.
The science samples (Samples 3 and 4) below use the past tense to describe what previous research studies have done and the research the authors have conducted, the methods they have followed, and what they have found. In their rationale or justification for their research (what remains to be done), they use the present tense. They also use the present tense to introduce their study (in Sample 3, “Here we report . . .”) and to explain the significance of their study (In Sample 3, This reprogramming . . . “provides a scalable cell source for. . .”).
Sample Abstract 1
From the social sciences.
Reporting new findings about the reasons for increasing economic homogamy among spouses
Gonalons-Pons, Pilar, and Christine R. Schwartz. “Trends in Economic Homogamy: Changes in Assortative Mating or the Division of Labor in Marriage?” Demography , vol. 54, no. 3, 2017, pp. 985-1005.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation “The growing economic resemblance of spouses has contributed to rising inequality by increasing the number of couples in which there are two high- or two low-earning partners. [Annotation for the previous sentence: The first sentence introduces the topic under study (the “economic resemblance of spouses”). This sentence also implies the question underlying this research study: what are the various causes—and the interrelationships among them—for this trend?] The dominant explanation for this trend is increased assortative mating. Previous research has primarily relied on cross-sectional data and thus has been unable to disentangle changes in assortative mating from changes in the division of spouses’ paid labor—a potentially key mechanism given the dramatic rise in wives’ labor supply. [Annotation for the previous two sentences: These next two sentences explain what previous research has demonstrated. By pointing out the limitations in the methods that were used in previous studies, they also provide a rationale for new research.] We use data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) to decompose the increase in the correlation between spouses’ earnings and its contribution to inequality between 1970 and 2013 into parts due to (a) changes in assortative mating, and (b) changes in the division of paid labor. [Annotation for the previous sentence: The data, research and analytical methods used in this new study.] Contrary to what has often been assumed, the rise of economic homogamy and its contribution to inequality is largely attributable to changes in the division of paid labor rather than changes in sorting on earnings or earnings potential. Our findings indicate that the rise of economic homogamy cannot be explained by hypotheses centered on meeting and matching opportunities, and they show where in this process inequality is generated and where it is not.” (p. 985) [Annotation for the previous two sentences: The major findings from and implications and significance of this study.]](https://writing.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/535/2019/08/Abstract-1.png)
Sample Abstract 2
From the humanities.
Analyzing underground pulp fiction publications in Tanzania, this article makes an argument about the cultural significance of those publications
Emily Callaci. “Street Textuality: Socialism, Masculinity, and Urban Belonging in Tanzania’s Pulp Fiction Publishing Industry, 1975-1985.” Comparative Studies in Society and History , vol. 59, no. 1, 2017, pp. 183-210.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation “From the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s, a network of young urban migrant men created an underground pulp fiction publishing industry in the city of Dar es Salaam. [Annotation for the previous sentence: The first sentence introduces the context for this research and announces the topic under study.] As texts that were produced in the underground economy of a city whose trajectory was increasingly charted outside of formalized planning and investment, these novellas reveal more than their narrative content alone. These texts were active components in the urban social worlds of the young men who produced them. They reveal a mode of urbanism otherwise obscured by narratives of decolonization, in which urban belonging was constituted less by national citizenship than by the construction of social networks, economic connections, and the crafting of reputations. This article argues that pulp fiction novellas of socialist era Dar es Salaam are artifacts of emergent forms of male sociability and mobility. In printing fictional stories about urban life on pilfered paper and ink, and distributing their texts through informal channels, these writers not only described urban communities, reputations, and networks, but also actually created them.” (p. 210) [Annotation for the previous sentences: The remaining sentences in this abstract interweave other essential information for an abstract for this article. The implied research questions: What do these texts mean? What is their historical and cultural significance, produced at this time, in this location, by these authors? The argument and the significance of this analysis in microcosm: these texts “reveal a mode or urbanism otherwise obscured . . .”; and “This article argues that pulp fiction novellas. . . .” This section also implies what previous historical research has obscured. And through the details in its argumentative claims, this section of the abstract implies the kinds of methods the author has used to interpret the novellas and the concepts under study (e.g., male sociability and mobility, urban communities, reputations, network. . . ).]](https://writing.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/535/2019/08/Abstract-2.png)
Sample Abstract/Summary 3
From the sciences.
Reporting a new method for reprogramming adult mouse fibroblasts into induced cardiac progenitor cells
Lalit, Pratik A., Max R. Salick, Daryl O. Nelson, Jayne M. Squirrell, Christina M. Shafer, Neel G. Patel, Imaan Saeed, Eric G. Schmuck, Yogananda S. Markandeya, Rachel Wong, Martin R. Lea, Kevin W. Eliceiri, Timothy A. Hacker, Wendy C. Crone, Michael Kyba, Daniel J. Garry, Ron Stewart, James A. Thomson, Karen M. Downs, Gary E. Lyons, and Timothy J. Kamp. “Lineage Reprogramming of Fibroblasts into Proliferative Induced Cardiac Progenitor Cells by Defined Factors.” Cell Stem Cell , vol. 18, 2016, pp. 354-367.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation “Several studies have reported reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes; however, reprogramming into proliferative induced cardiac progenitor cells (iCPCs) remains to be accomplished. [Annotation for the previous sentence: The first sentence announces the topic under study, summarizes what’s already known or been accomplished in previous research, and signals the rationale and goals are for the new research and the problem that the new research solves: How can researchers reprogram fibroblasts into iCPCs?] Here we report that a combination of 11 or 5 cardiac factors along with canonical Wnt and JAK/STAT signaling reprogrammed adult mouse cardiac, lung, and tail tip fibroblasts into iCPCs. The iCPCs were cardiac mesoderm-restricted progenitors that could be expanded extensively while maintaining multipo-tency to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells in vitro. Moreover, iCPCs injected into the cardiac crescent of mouse embryos differentiated into cardiomyocytes. iCPCs transplanted into the post-myocardial infarction mouse heart improved survival and differentiated into cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. [Annotation for the previous four sentences: The methods the researchers developed to achieve their goal and a description of the results.] Lineage reprogramming of adult somatic cells into iCPCs provides a scalable cell source for drug discovery, disease modeling, and cardiac regenerative therapy.” (p. 354) [Annotation for the previous sentence: The significance or implications—for drug discovery, disease modeling, and therapy—of this reprogramming of adult somatic cells into iCPCs.]](https://writing.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/535/2019/08/Abstract-3.png)
Sample Abstract 4, a Structured Abstract
Reporting results about the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis, from a rigorously controlled study
Note: This journal requires authors to organize their abstract into four specific sections, with strict word limits. Because the headings for this structured abstract are self-explanatory, we have chosen not to add annotations to this sample abstract.
Wald, Ellen R., David Nash, and Jens Eickhoff. “Effectiveness of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children.” Pediatrics , vol. 124, no. 1, 2009, pp. 9-15.
“OBJECTIVE: The role of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) in children is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of high-dose amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate in the treatment of children diagnosed with ABS.
METHODS : This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Children 1 to 10 years of age with a clinical presentation compatible with ABS were eligible for participation. Patients were stratified according to age (<6 or ≥6 years) and clinical severity and randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin (90 mg/kg) with potassium clavulanate (6.4 mg/kg) or placebo. A symptom survey was performed on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, and 30. Patients were examined on day 14. Children’s conditions were rated as cured, improved, or failed according to scoring rules.
RESULTS: Two thousand one hundred thirty-five children with respiratory complaints were screened for enrollment; 139 (6.5%) had ABS. Fifty-eight patients were enrolled, and 56 were randomly assigned. The mean age was 6630 months. Fifty (89%) patients presented with persistent symptoms, and 6 (11%) presented with nonpersistent symptoms. In 24 (43%) children, the illness was classified as mild, whereas in the remaining 32 (57%) children it was severe. Of the 28 children who received the antibiotic, 14 (50%) were cured, 4 (14%) were improved, 4(14%) experienced treatment failure, and 6 (21%) withdrew. Of the 28children who received placebo, 4 (14%) were cured, 5 (18%) improved, and 19 (68%) experienced treatment failure. Children receiving the antibiotic were more likely to be cured (50% vs 14%) and less likely to have treatment failure (14% vs 68%) than children receiving the placebo.
CONCLUSIONS : ABS is a common complication of viral upper respiratory infections. Amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate results in significantly more cures and fewer failures than placebo, according to parental report of time to resolution.” (9)
Some Excellent Advice about Writing Abstracts for Basic Science Research Papers, by Professor Adriano Aguzzi from the Institute of Neuropathology at the University of Zurich:
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation](https://writing.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/535/2018/07/Screen-Shot-2019-08-06-at-6.26.02-PM-e1565383158628.png)
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How to Write an Abstract (With Examples)
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By Sarah Oakley
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Table of Contents
What is an abstract in a paper, how long should an abstract be, 5 steps for writing an abstract, examples of an abstract, how prowritingaid can help you write an abstract.
If you are writing a scientific research paper or a book proposal, you need to know how to write an abstract, which summarizes the contents of the paper or book.
When researchers are looking for peer-reviewed papers to use in their studies, the first place they will check is the abstract to see if it applies to their work. Therefore, your abstract is one of the most important parts of your entire paper.
In this article, we’ll explain what an abstract is, what it should include, and how to write one.
An abstract is a concise summary of the details within a report. Some abstracts give more details than others, but the main things you’ll be talking about are why you conducted the research, what you did, and what the results show.
When a reader is deciding whether to read your paper completely, they will first look at the abstract. You need to be concise in your abstract and give the reader the most important information so they can determine if they want to read the whole paper.
Remember that an abstract is the last thing you’ll want to write for the research paper because it directly references parts of the report. If you haven’t written the report, you won’t know what to include in your abstract.
If you are writing a paper for a journal or an assignment, the publication or academic institution might have specific formatting rules for how long your abstract should be. However, if they don’t, most abstracts are between 150 and 300 words long.
A short word count means your writing has to be precise and without filler words or phrases. Once you’ve written a first draft, you can always use an editing tool, such as ProWritingAid, to identify areas where you can reduce words and increase readability.
If your abstract is over the word limit, and you’ve edited it but still can’t figure out how to reduce it further, your abstract might include some things that aren’t needed. Here’s a list of three elements you can remove from your abstract:
Discussion : You don’t need to go into detail about the findings of your research because your reader will find your discussion within the paper.
Definition of terms : Your readers are interested the field you are writing about, so they are likely to understand the terms you are using. If not, they can always look them up. Your readers do not expect you to give a definition of terms in your abstract.
References and citations : You can mention there have been studies that support or have inspired your research, but you do not need to give details as the reader will find them in your bibliography.
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If you’ve never written an abstract before, and you’re wondering how to write an abstract, we’ve got some steps for you to follow. It’s best to start with planning your abstract, so we’ve outlined the details you need to include in your plan before you write.
Remember to consider your audience when you’re planning and writing your abstract. They are likely to skim read your abstract, so you want to be sure your abstract delivers all the information they’re expecting to see at key points.
1. What Should an Abstract Include?
Abstracts have a lot of information to cover in a short number of words, so it’s important to know what to include. There are three elements that need to be present in your abstract:
Your context is the background for where your research sits within your field of study. You should briefly mention any previous scientific papers or experiments that have led to your hypothesis and how research develops in those studies.
Your hypothesis is your prediction of what your study will show. As you are writing your abstract after you have conducted your research, you should still include your hypothesis in your abstract because it shows the motivation for your paper.
Throughout your abstract, you also need to include keywords and phrases that will help researchers to find your article in the databases they’re searching. Make sure the keywords are specific to your field of study and the subject you’re reporting on, otherwise your article might not reach the relevant audience.
2. Can You Use First Person in an Abstract?
You might think that first person is too informal for a research paper, but it’s not. Historically, writers of academic reports avoided writing in first person to uphold the formality standards of the time. However, first person is more accepted in research papers in modern times.
If you’re still unsure whether to write in first person for your abstract, refer to any style guide rules imposed by the journal you’re writing for or your teachers if you are writing an assignment.
3. Abstract Structure
Some scientific journals have strict rules on how to structure an abstract, so it’s best to check those first. If you don’t have any style rules to follow, try using the IMRaD structure, which stands for Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation how to structure an abstract](https://assets.prowritingaid.com/f/145420/750x469/9dbbec9c51/blog-content-how-to-structure-an-astract.png/m/)
Following the IMRaD structure, start with an introduction. The amount of background information you should include depends on your specific research area. Adding a broad overview gives you less room to include other details. Remember to include your hypothesis in this section.
The next part of your abstract should cover your methodology. Try to include the following details if they apply to your study:
What type of research was conducted?
How were the test subjects sampled?
What were the sample sizes?
What was done to each group?
How long was the experiment?
How was data recorded and interpreted?
Following the methodology, include a sentence or two about the results, which is where your reader will determine if your research supports or contradicts their own investigations.
The results are also where most people will want to find out what your outcomes were, even if they are just mildly interested in your research area. You should be specific about all the details but as concise as possible.
The last few sentences are your conclusion. It needs to explain how your findings affect the context and whether your hypothesis was correct. Include the primary take-home message, additional findings of importance, and perspective. Also explain whether there is scope for further research into the subject of your report.
Your conclusion should be honest and give the reader the ultimate message that your research shows. Readers trust the conclusion, so make sure you’re not fabricating the results of your research. Some readers won’t read your entire paper, but this section will tell them if it’s worth them referencing it in their own study.
4. How to Start an Abstract
The first line of your abstract should give your reader the context of your report by providing background information. You can use this sentence to imply the motivation for your research.
You don’t need to use a hook phrase or device in your first sentence to grab the reader’s attention. Your reader will look to establish relevance quickly, so readability and clarity are more important than trying to persuade the reader to read on.
5. How to Format an Abstract
Most abstracts use the same formatting rules, which help the reader identify the abstract so they know where to look for it.
Here’s a list of formatting guidelines for writing an abstract:
Stick to one paragraph
Use block formatting with no indentation at the beginning
Put your abstract straight after the title and acknowledgements pages
Use present or past tense, not future tense
There are two primary types of abstract you could write for your paper—descriptive and informative.
An informative abstract is the most common, and they follow the structure mentioned previously. They are longer than descriptive abstracts because they cover more details.
Descriptive abstracts differ from informative abstracts, as they don’t include as much discussion or detail. The word count for a descriptive abstract is between 50 and 150 words.
Here is an example of an informative abstract:
A growing trend exists for authors to employ a more informal writing style that uses “we” in academic writing to acknowledge one’s stance and engagement. However, few studies have compared the ways in which the first-person pronoun “we” is used in the abstracts and conclusions of empirical papers. To address this lacuna in the literature, this study conducted a systematic corpus analysis of the use of “we” in the abstracts and conclusions of 400 articles collected from eight leading electrical and electronic (EE) engineering journals. The abstracts and conclusions were extracted to form two subcorpora, and an integrated framework was applied to analyze and seek to explain how we-clusters and we-collocations were employed. Results revealed whether authors’ use of first-person pronouns partially depends on a journal policy. The trend of using “we” showed that a yearly increase occurred in the frequency of “we” in EE journal papers, as well as the existence of three “we-use” types in the article conclusions and abstracts: exclusive, inclusive, and ambiguous. Other possible “we-use” alternatives such as “I” and other personal pronouns were used very rarely—if at all—in either section. These findings also suggest that the present tense was used more in article abstracts, but the present perfect tense was the most preferred tense in article conclusions. Both research and pedagogical implications are proffered and critically discussed.
Wang, S., Tseng, W.-T., & Johanson, R. (2021). To We or Not to We: Corpus-Based Research on First-Person Pronoun Use in Abstracts and Conclusions. SAGE Open, 11(2).
Here is an example of a descriptive abstract:
From the 1850s to the present, considerable criminological attention has focused on the development of theoretically-significant systems for classifying crime. This article reviews and attempts to evaluate a number of these efforts, and we conclude that further work on this basic task is needed. The latter part of the article explicates a conceptual foundation for a crime pattern classification system, and offers a preliminary taxonomy of crime.
Farr, K. A., & Gibbons, D. C. (1990). Observations on the Development of Crime Categories. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 34(3), 223–237.
If you want to ensure your abstract is grammatically correct and easy to read, you can use ProWritingAid to edit it. The software integrates with Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and most web browsers, so you can make the most of it wherever you’re writing your paper.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation academic document type](https://assets.prowritingaid.com/f/145420/810x637/70e2b8d7b0/blog-content-academic-document-type.png/m/)
Before you edit with ProWritingAid, make sure the suggestions you are seeing are relevant for your document by changing the document type to “Abstract” within the Academic writing style section.
You can use the Readability report to check your abstract for places to improve the clarity of your writing. Some suggestions might show you where to remove words, which is great if you’re over your word count.
We hope the five steps and examples we’ve provided help you write a great abstract for your research paper.
Sarah Oakley
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Echoes From Campus
- Nov 26, 2023
- 13 min read
How to Write an Abstract for a Dissertation
Updated: Feb 3
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation An open book on a desk in an academic setting, with the left page featuring a magnifying glass over text symbolizing research, and the right page displaying an abstract symbol like a lightbulb or a brain, representing insight and discovery. The background includes soft lighting and elements of a learning environment. Surrounding the book are subtle depictions of charts, graphs, and figures, evoking a sense of academic research and analysis. The overall ambiance of the image is sophisticated and inspiring, reflective of the intellectual process involved in dissertation writing](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/19205b_1f7bed00e60848aeb102e958a2311f32~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_28,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_auto/19205b_1f7bed00e60848aeb102e958a2311f32~mv2.png)
In the world of academic research, your dissertation is a vital component of your scholarly identity. It encapsulates years of hard work, dedication, and deep exploration into a specific area of study. However, before anyone delves into the depths of your research, they encounter the gateway to your work: the abstract. This brief yet powerful section is more than just a summary; it's an artful blend of precision, clarity, and insight, acting as a critical tool for researchers, scholars, and academics worldwide.
Why is the abstract so crucial? In many cases, it's the first (and sometimes the only) part of your dissertation that peers, reviewers, and future researchers will read. A well-crafted abstract serves as a beacon, drawing readers into the comprehensive journey of your research. It distils complex ideas and extensive research into a digestible format, making your findings accessible and appealing to a broad audience.
The challenge, however, lies in condensing potentially years of research into a few hundred words while maintaining the essence and significance of your work. This blog post aims to demystify this process. Whether you're a seasoned researcher or a novice embarking on your first major academic venture, the following guidelines will provide you with a clear roadmap for writing an abstract that not only captures the heart of your dissertation but also resonates with the academic community at large.
Expect to learn about the purpose and components of an effective abstract, strategies for summarizing your research question, methodology, and findings, and tips for ensuring clarity, coherence, and impact. By the end of this post, you will be equipped with the knowledge to create an abstract that is not just a summary, but a powerful introduction to your comprehensive work, inviting readers into the world of your research with precision and persuasion.
Understand the Purpose of an Abstract
The abstract of a dissertation is a pivotal element that serves multiple essential functions in the academic realm. To craft an effective abstract, it's crucial to first understand its purpose and the role it plays in your research dissemination. Here are the key aspects that define the purpose of an abstract:
A Concise Summary:
Essence of Your Work : The abstract condenses your entire dissertation into a brief synopsis, highlighting the main points. It should capture the essence of your research, including your research question, methodology, findings, and conclusions.
Accessible to a Broad Audience : While your dissertation is detailed and specific, the abstract should be accessible to a broader audience, including those outside your specific field of study.
A Tool for Researchers:
Facilitating Research Discovery : Abstracts are often indexed in academic databases. A well-written abstract, rich in relevant keywords, makes your work more discoverable to other researchers.
Quick Reference : For fellow academics and scholars, the abstract provides a quick overview of your research, helping them determine its relevance to their work.
An Invitation to Read More:
Engaging and Informative : An effective abstract not only informs but also engages the reader, encouraging them to read the full dissertation.
Balancing Detail and Brevity : It strikes a balance between providing enough detail to interest the reader and being concise enough to be quickly digestible.
A Standalone Entity:
Independently Comprehensible : The abstract should be able to stand on its own, presenting all necessary information without needing the reader to refer to the full text.
Reflection of Your Dissertation : It must accurately reflect the content and scope of your dissertation, including any significant findings and the nature of your research.
An Indicator of Quality:
First Impression : Often being the first part of your dissertation that is read, the abstract sets the tone and creates a first impression of your research quality.
Professionalism and Rigor : A well-crafted abstract demonstrates your professionalism and the rigor of your academic work.
By understanding these purposes, you can tailor your abstract to effectively serve as a concise, comprehensive, and engaging overview of your dissertation. It's not just a formality, but a critical component of your academic communication, playing a vital role in how your research is perceived and utilized in the academic community.
Start with Your Research Question
Starting with your research question in an abstract is a vital step in laying the groundwork for your entire dissertation. This opening move is not just about stating the question itself, but about framing it in a way that captivates and informs your audience from the outset.
The key is to present your research question with utmost clarity and precision. It should be immediately clear to the reader what your dissertation is investigating. Avoid complex jargon or overly broad statements; instead, aim for a direct and specific question that concisely reflects the core focus of your research. Remember, the question should be narrow enough to be manageable within the scope of your study but significant enough to warrant a detailed exploration.
Providing a bit of background is also crucial. Set the stage for your research question by briefly highlighting the context or the gap in existing knowledge that your study addresses. This not only situates your research within the broader field but also underscores its relevance and urgency.
It's important to convey why your research question matters. Briefly point out the significance of the question in your field. Is it addressing a long-standing issue, offering a new perspective, or tackling a timely problem? This aspect of your abstract serves to engage the reader's curiosity and interest, compelling them to delve deeper into your work.
Furthermore, your research question should naturally lead into the objectives or aims of your study. There should be a clear, logical flow from the question you pose to the goals you aim to achieve through your research. This linkage ensures that your abstract is a cohesive and comprehensive representation of your dissertation, setting a solid foundation for the detailed exposition that follows in the main body of your work.
In essence, starting your abstract with your research question is about more than just stating the question; it's about presenting it in a way that is clear, contextualized, and compelling, setting the tone for the rest of your dissertation.
Summarize the Methodology
Summarizing the methodology in the abstract of your dissertation involves concisely describing how you conducted your research. This brief overview should give the reader a clear understanding of the approach you took to investigate your research question. Here's how to effectively summarize your methodology in your abstract:
Describe the Research Design : Begin by outlining the overall design of your study. Was it experimental, descriptive, qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method? This sets the stage for understanding how you approached your research question.
Highlight Key Methods : Briefly mention the specific methods or techniques you used. For instance, if you conducted experiments, describe the type of experiment. If you used surveys or interviews, note this, and if you performed a literature review, indicate its scope. The aim is to give a snapshot of your primary research activities.
Sample and Setting : If applicable, mention the sample size and the setting of your study. This information provides context and helps in assessing the relevance and applicability of your findings.
Data Collection and Analysis : Include a line or two about how you collected and analyzed your data. This could involve mentioning types of data (qualitative, quantitative, or both), tools used for analysis (like statistical software), and any key steps in the process that are integral to understanding your study.
Ethical Considerations : If your study involved particular ethical considerations (like working with human subjects), it's worth briefly noting this. It signals the integrity and rigor of your research approach.
Rationale for Methodological Choices : If space permits, briefly explain why you chose these methods. What made them suitable for answering your research question?
Keep it Brief and Jargon-Free : Remember, the abstract is a summary. Avoid detailed descriptions and technical jargon. The aim is to convey the essence of your methodology in a way that is accessible to a broad academic audience.
Link to Results : End the methodological summary by connecting it to the results. This helps in creating a seamless flow from how the research was conducted to what it found.
By summarizing your methodology effectively in the abstract, you provide the reader with a clear, concise understanding of how you conducted your research, setting the stage for the presentation of your findings and conclusions. Highlight Key Findings
Highlighting key findings in the abstract of your dissertation is crucial for succinctly conveying the most significant outcomes of your research. This part of the abstract serves to demonstrate the value and impact of your work. Here’s an effective way to do this:
Present the Most Significant Results : Begin by stating the primary findings of your research. This should include the most impactful and relevant outcomes that emerged from your study. Use specific data and quantifiable results where possible. For example, if your research revealed a significant increase in a certain variable or a notable correlation, include these specific details. The aim is to provide a clear, factual representation of your primary discoveries.
Contextualize the Findings : Explain how these findings relate to your research question. This connection is vital as it demonstrates the effectiveness and relevance of your research. Discuss how your results contribute to the field of study, addressing gaps in existing knowledge or challenging current understanding. If your findings have practical implications, briefly mention this, highlighting how they could be applied in real-world scenarios or influence future research directions.
Avoid Overgeneralizing : Be cautious not to extend your conclusions beyond what your data directly supports. Maintain a balance between highlighting the significance of your findings and acknowledging any limitations. This approach ensures that your abstract accurately and responsibly reflects the scope and implications of your research, without exaggeration or misinterpretation.
By carefully selecting and articulating the key findings of your research, you ensure that the abstract of your dissertation effectively communicates the essence and importance of your work to the academic community.
Discuss the Implications
Discussing the implications of your research in the abstract of your dissertation is a crucial step in illustrating the broader impact and significance of your findings. This part of the abstract helps readers understand the relevance of your work to the field and its potential to influence future research, policy, or practice. Here’s how to effectively discuss the implications of your study:
Connect Findings to the Bigger Picture : Start by linking your key findings to broader themes or issues in your field. Explain how your research contributes to a deeper understanding of these topics. For instance, if your findings offer new insights into a theory or model, highlight how they add to or challenge existing knowledge.
Practical Applications : If your research has practical implications, mention these. This could include how your findings could be used to inform policy decisions, improve practices in a particular industry, or address societal challenges. Be specific about the potential real-world impact of your work.
Future Research Directions : Discuss how your findings could pave the way for future studies. Are there new questions that have emerged? Do your results suggest areas that require further investigation? Indicating how your research can inform or inspire subsequent studies underscores its importance in advancing the field.
Theoretical Implications : If your research has theoretical implications, articulate these. Explain how your findings contribute to the theoretical framework in your area of study. This could involve proposing modifications to existing theories, suggesting new conceptual models, or providing evidence that challenges prevailing assumptions.
Limitations and Scope : Acknowledge any limitations in your study that might affect the interpretation of your findings. Discussing limitations is not only a sign of academic rigor but also helps contextualize the implications of your research.
Societal or Cultural Impact : If applicable, mention any broader societal, cultural, or ethical implications of your research. This is particularly relevant for studies in fields like social sciences, humanities, or health sciences, where research outcomes can have far-reaching societal effects.
By addressing these areas, you ensure that the implications section of your abstract provides a comprehensive overview of the significance of your research, demonstrating its relevance and potential impact within and beyond your field. .
Be Concise and Coherent
An abstract should be between 150 and 300 words, depending on the guidelines provided by your institution or publisher. Achieving conciseness and coherence in your dissertation abstract is essential for effective communication of your research. This approach ensures that your abstract is both impactful and easily digestible, making a strong impression on the reader.
The first step towards conciseness is prioritizing key information. Your abstract should focus on the most critical elements of your dissertation: the research question, methodology, key findings, and implications. Avoid delving into detailed explanations or including secondary details. Each sentence should serve a purpose, contributing directly to an understanding of your research. Use clear, straightforward language, and avoid jargon as much as possible. This makes your abstract accessible not just to experts in your field, but also to a broader academic audience.
Coherence, on the other hand, involves ensuring that your abstract flows logically and smoothly. Start by presenting your research question, followed by a brief overview of your methodology. Then, highlight your key findings, linking them back to your research question. Finally, discuss the implications of your research, suggesting how it contributes to the field or could inform future work. Transition seamlessly between these elements, using linking words and phrases to guide the reader through your abstract. This structured approach helps in creating an abstract that is not just concise, but also coherent and compelling.
Use Keywords
Incorporating keywords effectively in your dissertation abstract is crucial for enhancing the discoverability and accessibility of your research in academic databases and search engines. Keywords act as the focal points that encapsulate the essential themes and methodologies of your study, and they play a pivotal role in how potential readers find and engage with your work. The first step in this process is identifying the most relevant and specific keywords that align with your research topic, methods, and findings. Consider the main concepts, techniques, and unique aspects of your study. Think from the perspective of a researcher in your field: what terms would they use to search for a study like yours? These terms should be the keywords that guide readers to your research.
Once you have identified your keywords, the next step is to integrate them seamlessly into the text of your abstract. This integration should feel natural and organic, contributing to the overall clarity and coherence of your summary. Avoid the temptation to simply list keywords or force them into the abstract in a way that disrupts the narrative flow. Instead, weave them into the sentences where they are most relevant, particularly in descriptions of your research question, methodology, and findings. This strategic placement not only aids in searchability but also helps in reinforcing the central themes of your research for the reader. By striking a balance between keyword inclusion and narrative coherence, your abstract becomes a powerful tool, guiding the right audience to your dissertation while providing a clear and concise overview of your work.
Revise and Proofread
The process of revising and proofreading your dissertation abstract is a critical final step in ensuring that it accurately and effectively communicates your research. This stage is about refining your abstract to enhance clarity, coherence, and overall quality.
Revisiting your abstract with a fresh perspective is crucial. Look for ways to improve clarity - are your sentences clear and direct? Does your abstract flow logically from the introduction of your research question, through your methodology, to your findings and their implications? Ensure that each sentence is purposeful and contributes to the overall message you want to convey. This might involve rephrasing complex sentences, eliminating redundancies, or reordering content for better coherence.
Proofreading is the final touch that ensures your abstract is free from grammatical errors, typos, and spelling mistakes. These errors, though small, can detract from the professionalism of your work. Pay close attention to details like punctuation, consistency in tense and voice, and correct usage of technical terms. It's often helpful to read your abstract aloud or have someone else review it, as fresh eyes can catch errors you might have overlooked.
Both revising and proofreading are integral to crafting an abstract that not only succinctly summarizes your dissertation but also presents it in a polished, professional manner. This meticulous attention to detail reflects the rigor and quality of your research and writing, making a strong impression on your academic audience.
Seek Feedback
Seeking feedback on your dissertation abstract is an invaluable step in the writing process, offering fresh perspectives and insights that can significantly enhance the quality of your work. This stage involves sharing your abstract with others, ideally those who have expertise in your field or are familiar with academic writing. Your supervisors, peers, or mentors can provide constructive criticism and suggestions for improvement. They can assess whether your abstract accurately and effectively captures the essence of your research, is coherent, and follows academic standards. Additionally, they might identify areas where clarity is lacking or suggest better ways to articulate complex ideas. Their feedback can also help ensure that your abstract is accessible to a broader audience, beyond experts in your specific field of study.
In addition to seeking feedback from academic colleagues, consider sharing your abstract with individuals who are not specialists in your area. This can be particularly helpful in gauging how well your abstract communicates to a more general audience. Non-specialist feedback can highlight jargon that needs simplification or areas where further explanation might be needed. It's essential to approach this feedback process with an open mind and a willingness to make revisions. Incorporating diverse perspectives not only enriches your abstract but also enhances its readability and impact. Remember, the goal is to refine your abstract into a clear, concise, and compelling overview of your dissertation, effectively bridging the gap between your detailed research and your potential readers.
Example of an Abstract Structure
Introduction:.
Begin by setting the stage for your research. Introduce the main topic and the specific research question or hypothesis your dissertation addresses.
Briefly explain the significance of the study and the gap in existing research that your dissertation aims to fill. This part should engage the reader and establish the relevance of your work.
Methodology:
This section should provide a snapshot of how you conducted your research. Describe the type of research (qualitative, quantitative, experimental, etc.) and the key methods used (surveys, interviews, data analysis techniques, etc.).
Mention any significant details that define your approach, like sample size, study setting, or data collection methods, to give the reader a clear understanding of how you gathered and analysed your data.
Present the main findings of your research. Highlight the key data points, trends, or discoveries that emerged from your study. Be specific and, where possible, use quantitative details or significant statistical results to underscore the importance of these findings.
Ensure the results are directly linked to your research question, demonstrating how your findings address the initial inquiry.
Conclusions:
Summarize the implications of your findings. Discuss how they contribute to the field, what new insights they offer, and why they are significant.
If appropriate, suggest how these findings could inform future research or potential practical applications. Conclude by reinforcing the overall importance of your work and its contribution to the broader academic discourse.
Remember, the abstract is often the only part of your dissertation that will be freely available to the public, so it's crucial to make it count. By following these steps and ensuring that your abstract is a clear, concise, and accurate reflection of your entire dissertation, you can make a strong impact on your readers and set the stage for your research to be recognized and valued.
Check out our post for Dissertation Tips for strategies to help with your dissertation.
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What this handout is about
This handout provides definitions and examples of the two main types of abstracts: descriptive and informative. It also provides guidelines for constructing an abstract and general tips for you to keep in mind when drafting. Finally, it includes a few examples of abstracts broken down into their component parts.
What is an abstract?
An abstract is a self-contained, short, and powerful statement that describes a larger work. Components vary according to discipline. An abstract of a social science or scientific work may contain the scope, purpose, results, and contents of the work. An abstract of a humanities work may contain the thesis, background, and conclusion of the larger work. An abstract is not a review, nor does it evaluate the work being abstracted. While it contains key words found in the larger work, the abstract is an original document rather than an excerpted passage.
Why write an abstract?
You may write an abstract for various reasons. The two most important are selection and indexing. Abstracts allow readers who may be interested in a longer work to quickly decide whether it is worth their time to read it. Also, many online databases use abstracts to index larger works. Therefore, abstracts should contain keywords and phrases that allow for easy searching.
Say you are beginning a research project on how Brazilian newspapers helped Brazil’s ultra-liberal president Luiz Ignácio da Silva wrest power from the traditional, conservative power base. A good first place to start your research is to search Dissertation Abstracts International for all dissertations that deal with the interaction between newspapers and politics. “Newspapers and politics” returned 569 hits. A more selective search of “newspapers and Brazil” returned 22 hits. That is still a fair number of dissertations. Titles can sometimes help winnow the field, but many titles are not very descriptive. For example, one dissertation is titled “Rhetoric and Riot in Rio de Janeiro.” It is unclear from the title what this dissertation has to do with newspapers in Brazil. One option would be to download or order the entire dissertation on the chance that it might speak specifically to the topic. A better option is to read the abstract. In this case, the abstract reveals the main focus of the dissertation:
This dissertation examines the role of newspaper editors in the political turmoil and strife that characterized late First Empire Rio de Janeiro (1827-1831). Newspaper editors and their journals helped change the political culture of late First Empire Rio de Janeiro by involving the people in the discussion of state. This change in political culture is apparent in Emperor Pedro I’s gradual loss of control over the mechanisms of power. As the newspapers became more numerous and powerful, the Emperor lost his legitimacy in the eyes of the people. To explore the role of the newspapers in the political events of the late First Empire, this dissertation analyzes all available newspapers published in Rio de Janeiro from 1827 to 1831. Newspapers and their editors were leading forces in the effort to remove power from the hands of the ruling elite and place it under the control of the people. In the process, newspapers helped change how politics operated in the constitutional monarchy of Brazil.
From this abstract you now know that although the dissertation has nothing to do with modern Brazilian politics, it does cover the role of newspapers in changing traditional mechanisms of power. After reading the abstract, you can make an informed judgment about whether the dissertation would be worthwhile to read.
Besides selection, the other main purpose of the abstract is for indexing. Most article databases in the online catalog of the library enable you to search abstracts. This allows for quick retrieval by users and limits the extraneous items recalled by a “full-text” search. However, for an abstract to be useful in an online retrieval system, it must incorporate the key terms that a potential researcher would use to search. For example, if you search Dissertation Abstracts International using the keywords “France” “revolution” and “politics,” the search engine would search through all the abstracts in the database that included those three words. Without an abstract, the search engine would be forced to search titles, which, as we have seen, may not be fruitful, or else search the full text. It’s likely that a lot more than 60 dissertations have been written with those three words somewhere in the body of the entire work. By incorporating keywords into the abstract, the author emphasizes the central topics of the work and gives prospective readers enough information to make an informed judgment about the applicability of the work.
When do people write abstracts?
- when submitting articles to journals, especially online journals
- when applying for research grants
- when writing a book proposal
- when completing the Ph.D. dissertation or M.A. thesis
- when writing a proposal for a conference paper
- when writing a proposal for a book chapter
Most often, the author of the entire work (or prospective work) writes the abstract. However, there are professional abstracting services that hire writers to draft abstracts of other people’s work. In a work with multiple authors, the first author usually writes the abstract. Undergraduates are sometimes asked to draft abstracts of books/articles for classmates who have not read the larger work.
Types of abstracts
There are two types of abstracts: descriptive and informative. They have different aims, so as a consequence they have different components and styles. There is also a third type called critical, but it is rarely used. If you want to find out more about writing a critique or a review of a work, see the UNC Writing Center handout on writing a literature review . If you are unsure which type of abstract you should write, ask your instructor (if the abstract is for a class) or read other abstracts in your field or in the journal where you are submitting your article.
Descriptive abstracts
A descriptive abstract indicates the type of information found in the work. It makes no judgments about the work, nor does it provide results or conclusions of the research. It does incorporate key words found in the text and may include the purpose, methods, and scope of the research. Essentially, the descriptive abstract describes the work being abstracted. Some people consider it an outline of the work, rather than a summary. Descriptive abstracts are usually very short—100 words or less.
Informative abstracts
The majority of abstracts are informative. While they still do not critique or evaluate a work, they do more than describe it. A good informative abstract acts as a surrogate for the work itself. That is, the writer presents and explains all the main arguments and the important results and evidence in the complete article/paper/book. An informative abstract includes the information that can be found in a descriptive abstract (purpose, methods, scope) but also includes the results and conclusions of the research and the recommendations of the author. The length varies according to discipline, but an informative abstract is rarely more than 10% of the length of the entire work. In the case of a longer work, it may be much less.
Here are examples of a descriptive and an informative abstract of this handout on abstracts . Descriptive abstract:
The two most common abstract types—descriptive and informative—are described and examples of each are provided.
Informative abstract:
Abstracts present the essential elements of a longer work in a short and powerful statement. The purpose of an abstract is to provide prospective readers the opportunity to judge the relevance of the longer work to their projects. Abstracts also include the key terms found in the longer work and the purpose and methods of the research. Authors abstract various longer works, including book proposals, dissertations, and online journal articles. There are two main types of abstracts: descriptive and informative. A descriptive abstract briefly describes the longer work, while an informative abstract presents all the main arguments and important results. This handout provides examples of various types of abstracts and instructions on how to construct one.
Which type should I use?
Your best bet in this case is to ask your instructor or refer to the instructions provided by the publisher. You can also make a guess based on the length allowed; i.e., 100-120 words = descriptive; 250+ words = informative.
How do I write an abstract?
The format of your abstract will depend on the work being abstracted. An abstract of a scientific research paper will contain elements not found in an abstract of a literature article, and vice versa. However, all abstracts share several mandatory components, and there are also some optional parts that you can decide to include or not. When preparing to draft your abstract, keep the following key process elements in mind:
- Reason for writing: What is the importance of the research? Why would a reader be interested in the larger work?
- Problem: What problem does this work attempt to solve? What is the scope of the project? What is the main argument/thesis/claim?
- Methodology: An abstract of a scientific work may include specific models or approaches used in the larger study. Other abstracts may describe the types of evidence used in the research.
- Results: Again, an abstract of a scientific work may include specific data that indicates the results of the project. Other abstracts may discuss the findings in a more general way.
- Implications: What changes should be implemented as a result of the findings of the work? How does this work add to the body of knowledge on the topic?
(This list of elements is adapted with permission from Philip Koopman, “How to Write an Abstract.” )
All abstracts include:
- A full citation of the source, preceding the abstract.
- The most important information first.
- The same type and style of language found in the original, including technical language.
- Key words and phrases that quickly identify the content and focus of the work.
- Clear, concise, and powerful language.
Abstracts may include:
- The thesis of the work, usually in the first sentence.
- Background information that places the work in the larger body of literature.
- The same chronological structure as the original work.
How not to write an abstract:
- Do not refer extensively to other works.
- Do not add information not contained in the original work.
- Do not define terms.
If you are abstracting your own writing
When abstracting your own work, it may be difficult to condense a piece of writing that you have agonized over for weeks (or months, or even years) into a 250-word statement. There are some tricks that you could use to make it easier, however.
Reverse outlining:
This technique is commonly used when you are having trouble organizing your own writing. The process involves writing down the main idea of each paragraph on a separate piece of paper– see our short video . For the purposes of writing an abstract, try grouping the main ideas of each section of the paper into a single sentence. Practice grouping ideas using webbing or color coding .
For a scientific paper, you may have sections titled Purpose, Methods, Results, and Discussion. Each one of these sections will be longer than one paragraph, but each is grouped around a central idea. Use reverse outlining to discover the central idea in each section and then distill these ideas into one statement.
Cut and paste:
To create a first draft of an abstract of your own work, you can read through the entire paper and cut and paste sentences that capture key passages. This technique is useful for social science research with findings that cannot be encapsulated by neat numbers or concrete results. A well-written humanities draft will have a clear and direct thesis statement and informative topic sentences for paragraphs or sections. Isolate these sentences in a separate document and work on revising them into a unified paragraph.
If you are abstracting someone else’s writing
When abstracting something you have not written, you cannot summarize key ideas just by cutting and pasting. Instead, you must determine what a prospective reader would want to know about the work. There are a few techniques that will help you in this process:
Identify key terms:
Search through the entire document for key terms that identify the purpose, scope, and methods of the work. Pay close attention to the Introduction (or Purpose) and the Conclusion (or Discussion). These sections should contain all the main ideas and key terms in the paper. When writing the abstract, be sure to incorporate the key terms.
Highlight key phrases and sentences:
Instead of cutting and pasting the actual words, try highlighting sentences or phrases that appear to be central to the work. Then, in a separate document, rewrite the sentences and phrases in your own words.
Don’t look back:
After reading the entire work, put it aside and write a paragraph about the work without referring to it. In the first draft, you may not remember all the key terms or the results, but you will remember what the main point of the work was. Remember not to include any information you did not get from the work being abstracted.
Revise, revise, revise
No matter what type of abstract you are writing, or whether you are abstracting your own work or someone else’s, the most important step in writing an abstract is to revise early and often. When revising, delete all extraneous words and incorporate meaningful and powerful words. The idea is to be as clear and complete as possible in the shortest possible amount of space. The Word Count feature of Microsoft Word can help you keep track of how long your abstract is and help you hit your target length.
Example 1: Humanities abstract
Kenneth Tait Andrews, “‘Freedom is a constant struggle’: The dynamics and consequences of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement, 1960-1984” Ph.D. State University of New York at Stony Brook, 1997 DAI-A 59/02, p. 620, Aug 1998
This dissertation examines the impacts of social movements through a multi-layered study of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement from its peak in the early 1960s through the early 1980s. By examining this historically important case, I clarify the process by which movements transform social structures and the constraints movements face when they try to do so. The time period studied includes the expansion of voting rights and gains in black political power, the desegregation of public schools and the emergence of white-flight academies, and the rise and fall of federal anti-poverty programs. I use two major research strategies: (1) a quantitative analysis of county-level data and (2) three case studies. Data have been collected from archives, interviews, newspapers, and published reports. This dissertation challenges the argument that movements are inconsequential. Some view federal agencies, courts, political parties, or economic elites as the agents driving institutional change, but typically these groups acted in response to the leverage brought to bear by the civil rights movement. The Mississippi movement attempted to forge independent structures for sustaining challenges to local inequities and injustices. By propelling change in an array of local institutions, movement infrastructures had an enduring legacy in Mississippi.
Now let’s break down this abstract into its component parts to see how the author has distilled his entire dissertation into a ~200 word abstract.
What the dissertation does This dissertation examines the impacts of social movements through a multi-layered study of the Mississippi Civil Rights Movement from its peak in the early 1960s through the early 1980s. By examining this historically important case, I clarify the process by which movements transform social structures and the constraints movements face when they try to do so.
How the dissertation does it The time period studied in this dissertation includes the expansion of voting rights and gains in black political power, the desegregation of public schools and the emergence of white-flight academies, and the rise and fall of federal anti-poverty programs. I use two major research strategies: (1) a quantitative analysis of county-level data and (2) three case studies.
What materials are used Data have been collected from archives, interviews, newspapers, and published reports.
Conclusion This dissertation challenges the argument that movements are inconsequential. Some view federal agencies, courts, political parties, or economic elites as the agents driving institutional change, but typically these groups acted in response to movement demands and the leverage brought to bear by the civil rights movement. The Mississippi movement attempted to forge independent structures for sustaining challenges to local inequities and injustices. By propelling change in an array of local institutions, movement infrastructures had an enduring legacy in Mississippi.
Keywords social movements Civil Rights Movement Mississippi voting rights desegregation
Example 2: Science Abstract
Luis Lehner, “Gravitational radiation from black hole spacetimes” Ph.D. University of Pittsburgh, 1998 DAI-B 59/06, p. 2797, Dec 1998
The problem of detecting gravitational radiation is receiving considerable attention with the construction of new detectors in the United States, Europe, and Japan. The theoretical modeling of the wave forms that would be produced in particular systems will expedite the search for and analysis of detected signals. The characteristic formulation of GR is implemented to obtain an algorithm capable of evolving black holes in 3D asymptotically flat spacetimes. Using compactification techniques, future null infinity is included in the evolved region, which enables the unambiguous calculation of the radiation produced by some compact source. A module to calculate the waveforms is constructed and included in the evolution algorithm. This code is shown to be second-order convergent and to handle highly non-linear spacetimes. In particular, we have shown that the code can handle spacetimes whose radiation is equivalent to a galaxy converting its whole mass into gravitational radiation in one second. We further use the characteristic formulation to treat the region close to the singularity in black hole spacetimes. The code carefully excises a region surrounding the singularity and accurately evolves generic black hole spacetimes with apparently unlimited stability.
This science abstract covers much of the same ground as the humanities one, but it asks slightly different questions.
Why do this study The problem of detecting gravitational radiation is receiving considerable attention with the construction of new detectors in the United States, Europe, and Japan. The theoretical modeling of the wave forms that would be produced in particular systems will expedite the search and analysis of the detected signals.
What the study does The characteristic formulation of GR is implemented to obtain an algorithm capable of evolving black holes in 3D asymptotically flat spacetimes. Using compactification techniques, future null infinity is included in the evolved region, which enables the unambiguous calculation of the radiation produced by some compact source. A module to calculate the waveforms is constructed and included in the evolution algorithm.
Results This code is shown to be second-order convergent and to handle highly non-linear spacetimes. In particular, we have shown that the code can handle spacetimes whose radiation is equivalent to a galaxy converting its whole mass into gravitational radiation in one second. We further use the characteristic formulation to treat the region close to the singularity in black hole spacetimes. The code carefully excises a region surrounding the singularity and accurately evolves generic black hole spacetimes with apparently unlimited stability.
Keywords gravitational radiation (GR) spacetimes black holes
Works consulted
We consulted these works while writing this handout. This is not a comprehensive list of resources on the handout’s topic, and we encourage you to do your own research to find additional publications. Please do not use this list as a model for the format of your own reference list, as it may not match the citation style you are using. For guidance on formatting citations, please see the UNC Libraries citation tutorial . We revise these tips periodically and welcome feedback.
Belcher, Wendy Laura. 2009. Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks: A Guide to Academic Publishing Success. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Press.
Koopman, Philip. 1997. “How to Write an Abstract.” Carnegie Mellon University. October 1997. http://users.ece.cmu.edu/~koopman/essays/abstract.html .
Lancaster, F.W. 2003. Indexing And Abstracting in Theory and Practice , 3rd ed. London: Facet Publishing.
You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Writing Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Abstract Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide With Tips & Examples
Table of Contents
Introduction
Abstracts of research papers have always played an essential role in describing your research concisely and clearly to researchers and editors of journals, enticing them to continue reading. However, with the widespread availability of scientific databases, the need to write a convincing abstract is more crucial now than during the time of paper-bound manuscripts.
Abstracts serve to "sell" your research and can be compared with your "executive outline" of a resume or, rather, a formal summary of the critical aspects of your work. Also, it can be the "gist" of your study. Since most educational research is done online, it's a sign that you have a shorter time for impressing your readers, and have more competition from other abstracts that are available to be read.
The APCI (Academic Publishing and Conferences International) articulates 12 issues or points considered during the final approval process for conferences & journals and emphasises the importance of writing an abstract that checks all these boxes (12 points). Since it's the only opportunity you have to captivate your readers, you must invest time and effort in creating an abstract that accurately reflects the critical points of your research.
With that in mind, let’s head over to understand and discover the core concept and guidelines to create a substantial abstract. Also, learn how to organise the ideas or plots into an effective abstract that will be awe-inspiring to the readers you want to reach.
What is Abstract? Definition and Overview
The word "Abstract' is derived from Latin abstractus meaning "drawn off." This etymological meaning also applies to art movements as well as music, like abstract expressionism. In this context, it refers to the revealing of the artist's intention.
Based on this, you can determine the meaning of an abstract: A condensed research summary. It must be self-contained and independent of the body of the research. However, it should outline the subject, the strategies used to study the problem, and the methods implemented to attain the outcomes. The specific elements of the study differ based on the area of study; however, together, it must be a succinct summary of the entire research paper.
Abstracts are typically written at the end of the paper, even though it serves as a prologue. In general, the abstract must be in a position to:
- Describe the paper.
- Identify the problem or the issue at hand.
- Explain to the reader the research process, the results you came up with, and what conclusion you've reached using these results.
- Include keywords to guide your strategy and the content.
Furthermore, the abstract you submit should not reflect upon any of the following elements:
- Examine, analyse or defend the paper or your opinion.
- What you want to study, achieve or discover.
- Be redundant or irrelevant.
After reading an abstract, your audience should understand the reason - what the research was about in the first place, what the study has revealed and how it can be utilised or can be used to benefit others. You can understand the importance of abstract by knowing the fact that the abstract is the most frequently read portion of any research paper. In simpler terms, it should contain all the main points of the research paper.
What is the Purpose of an Abstract?
Abstracts are typically an essential requirement for research papers; however, it's not an obligation to preserve traditional reasons without any purpose. Abstracts allow readers to scan the text to determine whether it is relevant to their research or studies. The abstract allows other researchers to decide if your research paper can provide them with some additional information. A good abstract paves the interest of the audience to pore through your entire paper to find the content or context they're searching for.
Abstract writing is essential for indexing, as well. The Digital Repository of academic papers makes use of abstracts to index the entire content of academic research papers. Like meta descriptions in the regular Google outcomes, abstracts must include keywords that help researchers locate what they seek.
Types of Abstract
Informative and Descriptive are two kinds of abstracts often used in scientific writing.
A descriptive abstract gives readers an outline of the author's main points in their study. The reader can determine if they want to stick to the research work, based on their interest in the topic. An abstract that is descriptive is similar to the contents table of books, however, the format of an abstract depicts complete sentences encapsulated in one paragraph. It is unfortunate that the abstract can't be used as a substitute for reading a piece of writing because it's just an overview, which omits readers from getting an entire view. Also, it cannot be a way to fill in the gaps the reader may have after reading this kind of abstract since it does not contain crucial information needed to evaluate the article.
To conclude, a descriptive abstract is:
- A simple summary of the task, just summarises the work, but some researchers think it is much more of an outline
- Typically, the length is approximately 100 words. It is too short when compared to an informative abstract.
- A brief explanation but doesn't provide the reader with the complete information they need;
- An overview that omits conclusions and results
An informative abstract is a comprehensive outline of the research. There are times when people rely on the abstract as an information source. And the reason is why it is crucial to provide entire data of particular research. A well-written, informative abstract could be a good substitute for the remainder of the paper on its own.
A well-written abstract typically follows a particular style. The author begins by providing the identifying information, backed by citations and other identifiers of the papers. Then, the major elements are summarised to make the reader aware of the study. It is followed by the methodology and all-important findings from the study. The conclusion then presents study results and ends the abstract with a comprehensive summary.
In a nutshell, an informative abstract:
- Has a length that can vary, based on the subject, but is not longer than 300 words.
- Contains all the content-like methods and intentions
- Offers evidence and possible recommendations.
Informative Abstracts are more frequent than descriptive abstracts because of their extensive content and linkage to the topic specifically. You should select different types of abstracts to papers based on their length: informative abstracts for extended and more complex abstracts and descriptive ones for simpler and shorter research papers.
What are the Characteristics of a Good Abstract?
- A good abstract clearly defines the goals and purposes of the study.
- It should clearly describe the research methodology with a primary focus on data gathering, processing, and subsequent analysis.
- A good abstract should provide specific research findings.
- It presents the principal conclusions of the systematic study.
- It should be concise, clear, and relevant to the field of study.
- A well-designed abstract should be unifying and coherent.
- It is easy to grasp and free of technical jargon.
- It is written impartially and objectively.
What are the various sections of an ideal Abstract?
By now, you must have gained some concrete idea of the essential elements that your abstract needs to convey . Accordingly, the information is broken down into six key sections of the abstract, which include:
An Introduction or Background
Research methodology, objectives and goals, limitations.
Let's go over them in detail.
The introduction, also known as background, is the most concise part of your abstract. Ideally, it comprises a couple of sentences. Some researchers only write one sentence to introduce their abstract. The idea behind this is to guide readers through the key factors that led to your study.
It's understandable that this information might seem difficult to explain in a couple of sentences. For example, think about the following two questions like the background of your study:
- What is currently available about the subject with respect to the paper being discussed?
- What isn't understood about this issue? (This is the subject of your research)
While writing the abstract’s introduction, make sure that it is not lengthy. Because if it crosses the word limit, it may eat up the words meant to be used for providing other key information.
Research methodology is where you describe the theories and techniques you used in your research. It is recommended that you describe what you have done and the method you used to get your thorough investigation results. Certainly, it is the second-longest paragraph in the abstract.
In the research methodology section, it is essential to mention the kind of research you conducted; for instance, qualitative research or quantitative research (this will guide your research methodology too) . If you've conducted quantitative research, your abstract should contain information like the sample size, data collection method, sampling techniques, and duration of the study. Likewise, your abstract should reflect observational data, opinions, questionnaires (especially the non-numerical data) if you work on qualitative research.
The research objectives and goals speak about what you intend to accomplish with your research. The majority of research projects focus on the long-term effects of a project, and the goals focus on the immediate, short-term outcomes of the research. It is possible to summarise both in just multiple sentences.
In stating your objectives and goals, you give readers a picture of the scope of the study, its depth and the direction your research ultimately follows. Your readers can evaluate the results of your research against the goals and stated objectives to determine if you have achieved the goal of your research.
In the end, your readers are more attracted by the results you've obtained through your study. Therefore, you must take the time to explain each relevant result and explain how they impact your research. The results section exists as the longest in your abstract, and nothing should diminish its reach or quality.
One of the most important things you should adhere to is to spell out details and figures on the results of your research.
Instead of making a vague assertion such as, "We noticed that response rates varied greatly between respondents with high incomes and those with low incomes", Try these: "The response rate was higher for high-income respondents than those with lower incomes (59 30 percent vs. 30 percent in both cases; P<0.01)."
You're likely to encounter certain obstacles during your research. It could have been during data collection or even during conducting the sample . Whatever the issue, it's essential to inform your readers about them and their effects on the research.
Research limitations offer an opportunity to suggest further and deep research. If, for instance, you were forced to change for convenient sampling and snowball samples because of difficulties in reaching well-suited research participants, then you should mention this reason when you write your research abstract. In addition, a lack of prior studies on the subject could hinder your research.
Your conclusion should include the same number of sentences to wrap the abstract as the introduction. The majority of researchers offer an idea of the consequences of their research in this case.
Your conclusion should include three essential components:
- A significant take-home message.
- Corresponding important findings.
- The Interpretation.
Even though the conclusion of your abstract needs to be brief, it can have an enormous influence on the way that readers view your research. Therefore, make use of this section to reinforce the central message from your research. Be sure that your statements reflect the actual results and the methods you used to conduct your research.
Good Abstract Examples
Abstract example #1.
Children’s consumption behavior in response to food product placements in movies.
The abstract:
"Almost all research into the effects of brand placements on children has focused on the brand's attitudes or behavior intentions. Based on the significant differences between attitudes and behavioral intentions on one hand and actual behavior on the other hand, this study examines the impact of placements by brands on children's eating habits. Children aged 6-14 years old were shown an excerpt from the popular film Alvin and the Chipmunks and were shown places for the item Cheese Balls. Three different versions were developed with no placements, one with moderately frequent placements and the third with the highest frequency of placement. The results revealed that exposure to high-frequency places had a profound effect on snack consumption, however, there was no impact on consumer attitudes towards brands or products. The effects were not dependent on the age of the children. These findings are of major importance to researchers studying consumer behavior as well as nutrition experts as well as policy regulators."
Abstract Example #2
Social comparisons on social media: The impact of Facebook on young women’s body image concerns and mood. The abstract:
"The research conducted in this study investigated the effects of Facebook use on women's moods and body image if the effects are different from an internet-based fashion journal and if the appearance comparison tendencies moderate one or more of these effects. Participants who were female ( N = 112) were randomly allocated to spend 10 minutes exploring their Facebook account or a magazine's website or an appearance neutral control website prior to completing state assessments of body dissatisfaction, mood, and differences in appearance (weight-related and facial hair, face, and skin). Participants also completed a test of the tendency to compare appearances. The participants who used Facebook were reported to be more depressed than those who stayed on the control site. In addition, women who have the tendency to compare appearances reported more facial, hair and skin-related issues following Facebook exposure than when they were exposed to the control site. Due to its popularity it is imperative to conduct more research to understand the effect that Facebook affects the way people view themselves."
Abstract Example #3
The Relationship Between Cell Phone Use and Academic Performance in a Sample of U.S. College Students
"The cellphone is always present on campuses of colleges and is often utilised in situations in which learning takes place. The study examined the connection between the use of cell phones and the actual grades point average (GPA) after adjusting for predictors that are known to be a factor. In the end 536 students in the undergraduate program from 82 self-reported majors of an enormous, public institution were studied. Hierarchical analysis ( R 2 = .449) showed that use of mobile phones is significantly ( p < .001) and negative (b equal to -.164) connected to the actual college GPA, after taking into account factors such as demographics, self-efficacy in self-regulated learning, self-efficacy to improve academic performance, and the actual high school GPA that were all important predictors ( p < .05). Therefore, after adjusting for other known predictors increasing cell phone usage was associated with lower academic performance. While more research is required to determine the mechanisms behind these results, they suggest the need to educate teachers and students to the possible academic risks that are associated with high-frequency mobile phone usage."
Quick tips on writing a good abstract
There exists a common dilemma among early age researchers whether to write the abstract at first or last? However, it's recommended to compose your abstract when you've completed the research since you'll have all the information to give to your readers. You can, however, write a draft at the beginning of your research and add in any gaps later.
If you find abstract writing a herculean task, here are the few tips to help you with it:
1. Always develop a framework to support your abstract
Before writing, ensure you create a clear outline for your abstract. Divide it into sections and draw the primary and supporting elements in each one. You can include keywords and a few sentences that convey the essence of your message.
2. Review Other Abstracts
Abstracts are among the most frequently used research documents, and thousands of them were written in the past. Therefore, prior to writing yours, take a look at some examples from other abstracts. There are plenty of examples of abstracts for dissertations in the dissertation and thesis databases.
3. Avoid Jargon To the Maximum
When you write your abstract, focus on simplicity over formality. You should write in simple language, and avoid excessive filler words or ambiguous sentences. Keep in mind that your abstract must be readable to those who aren't acquainted with your subject.
4. Focus on Your Research
It's a given fact that the abstract you write should be about your research and the findings you've made. It is not the right time to mention secondary and primary data sources unless it's absolutely required.
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Conclusion: How to Structure an Interesting Abstract?
Abstracts are a short outline of your essay. However, it's among the most important, if not the most important. The process of writing an abstract is not straightforward. A few early-age researchers tend to begin by writing it, thinking they are doing it to "tease" the next step (the document itself). However, it is better to treat it as a spoiler.
The simple, concise style of the abstract lends itself to a well-written and well-investigated study. If your research paper doesn't provide definitive results, or the goal of your research is questioned, so will the abstract. Thus, only write your abstract after witnessing your findings and put your findings in the context of a larger scenario.
The process of writing an abstract can be daunting, but with these guidelines, you will succeed. The most efficient method of writing an excellent abstract is to centre the primary points of your abstract, including the research question and goals methods, as well as key results.
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How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples
Published on 1 March 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 10 October 2022 by Eoghan Ryan.
An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a dissertation or research paper ). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers know exactly what your paper is about.
Although the structure may vary slightly depending on your discipline, your abstract should describe the purpose of your work, the methods you’ve used, and the conclusions you’ve drawn.
One common way to structure your abstract is to use the IMRaD structure. This stands for:
- Introduction
Abstracts are usually around 100–300 words, but there’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check the relevant requirements.
In a dissertation or thesis , include the abstract on a separate page, after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .
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Table of contents
Abstract example, when to write an abstract, step 1: introduction, step 2: methods, step 3: results, step 4: discussion, tips for writing an abstract, frequently asked questions about abstracts.
Hover over the different parts of the abstract to see how it is constructed.
This paper examines the role of silent movies as a mode of shared experience in the UK during the early twentieth century. At this time, high immigration rates resulted in a significant percentage of non-English-speaking citizens. These immigrants faced numerous economic and social obstacles, including exclusion from public entertainment and modes of discourse (newspapers, theater, radio).
Incorporating evidence from reviews, personal correspondence, and diaries, this study demonstrates that silent films were an affordable and inclusive source of entertainment. It argues for the accessible economic and representational nature of early cinema. These concerns are particularly evident in the low price of admission and in the democratic nature of the actors’ exaggerated gestures, which allowed the plots and action to be easily grasped by a diverse audience despite language barriers.
Keywords: silent movies, immigration, public discourse, entertainment, early cinema, language barriers.
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You will almost always have to include an abstract when:
- Completing a thesis or dissertation
- Submitting a research paper to an academic journal
- Writing a book proposal
- Applying for research grants
It’s easiest to write your abstract last, because it’s a summary of the work you’ve already done. Your abstract should:
- Be a self-contained text, not an excerpt from your paper
- Be fully understandable on its own
- Reflect the structure of your larger work
Start by clearly defining the purpose of your research. What practical or theoretical problem does the research respond to, or what research question did you aim to answer?
You can include some brief context on the social or academic relevance of your topic, but don’t go into detailed background information. If your abstract uses specialised terms that would be unfamiliar to the average academic reader or that have various different meanings, give a concise definition.
After identifying the problem, state the objective of your research. Use verbs like “investigate,” “test,” “analyse,” or “evaluate” to describe exactly what you set out to do.
This part of the abstract can be written in the present or past simple tense but should never refer to the future, as the research is already complete.
- This study will investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.
- This study investigates the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.
Next, indicate the research methods that you used to answer your question. This part should be a straightforward description of what you did in one or two sentences. It is usually written in the past simple tense, as it refers to completed actions.
- Structured interviews will be conducted with 25 participants.
- Structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants.
Don’t evaluate validity or obstacles here — the goal is not to give an account of the methodology’s strengths and weaknesses, but to give the reader a quick insight into the overall approach and procedures you used.
Next, summarise the main research results . This part of the abstract can be in the present or past simple tense.
- Our analysis has shown a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
- Our analysis shows a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
- Our analysis showed a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
Depending on how long and complex your research is, you may not be able to include all results here. Try to highlight only the most important findings that will allow the reader to understand your conclusions.
Finally, you should discuss the main conclusions of your research : what is your answer to the problem or question? The reader should finish with a clear understanding of the central point that your research has proved or argued. Conclusions are usually written in the present simple tense.
- We concluded that coffee consumption increases productivity.
- We conclude that coffee consumption increases productivity.
If there are important limitations to your research (for example, related to your sample size or methods), you should mention them briefly in the abstract. This allows the reader to accurately assess the credibility and generalisability of your research.
If your aim was to solve a practical problem, your discussion might include recommendations for implementation. If relevant, you can briefly make suggestions for further research.
If your paper will be published, you might have to add a list of keywords at the end of the abstract. These keywords should reference the most important elements of the research to help potential readers find your paper during their own literature searches.
Be aware that some publication manuals, such as APA Style , have specific formatting requirements for these keywords.
It can be a real challenge to condense your whole work into just a couple of hundred words, but the abstract will be the first (and sometimes only) part that people read, so it’s important to get it right. These strategies can help you get started.
Read other abstracts
The best way to learn the conventions of writing an abstract in your discipline is to read other people’s. You probably already read lots of journal article abstracts while conducting your literature review —try using them as a framework for structure and style.
You can also find lots of dissertation abstract examples in thesis and dissertation databases .
Reverse outline
Not all abstracts will contain precisely the same elements. For longer works, you can write your abstract through a process of reverse outlining.
For each chapter or section, list keywords and draft one to two sentences that summarise the central point or argument. This will give you a framework of your abstract’s structure. Next, revise the sentences to make connections and show how the argument develops.
Write clearly and concisely
A good abstract is short but impactful, so make sure every word counts. Each sentence should clearly communicate one main point.
To keep your abstract or summary short and clear:
- Avoid passive sentences: Passive constructions are often unnecessarily long. You can easily make them shorter and clearer by using the active voice.
- Avoid long sentences: Substitute longer expressions for concise expressions or single words (e.g., “In order to” for “To”).
- Avoid obscure jargon: The abstract should be understandable to readers who are not familiar with your topic.
- Avoid repetition and filler words: Replace nouns with pronouns when possible and eliminate unnecessary words.
- Avoid detailed descriptions: An abstract is not expected to provide detailed definitions, background information, or discussions of other scholars’ work. Instead, include this information in the body of your thesis or paper.
If you’re struggling to edit down to the required length, you can get help from expert editors with Scribbr’s professional proofreading services .
Check your formatting
If you are writing a thesis or dissertation or submitting to a journal, there are often specific formatting requirements for the abstract—make sure to check the guidelines and format your work correctly. For APA research papers you can follow the APA abstract format .
Checklist: Abstract
The word count is within the required length, or a maximum of one page.
The abstract appears after the title page and acknowledgements and before the table of contents .
I have clearly stated my research problem and objectives.
I have briefly described my methodology .
I have summarized the most important results .
I have stated my main conclusions .
I have mentioned any important limitations and recommendations.
The abstract can be understood by someone without prior knowledge of the topic.
You've written a great abstract! Use the other checklists to continue improving your thesis or dissertation.
An abstract is a concise summary of an academic text (such as a journal article or dissertation ). It serves two main purposes:
- To help potential readers determine the relevance of your paper for their own research.
- To communicate your key findings to those who don’t have time to read the whole paper.
Abstracts are often indexed along with keywords on academic databases, so they make your work more easily findable. Since the abstract is the first thing any reader sees, it’s important that it clearly and accurately summarises the contents of your paper.
An abstract for a thesis or dissertation is usually around 150–300 words. There’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check your university’s requirements.
The abstract is the very last thing you write. You should only write it after your research is complete, so that you can accurately summarize the entirety of your thesis or paper.
Avoid citing sources in your abstract . There are two reasons for this:
- The abstract should focus on your original research, not on the work of others.
- The abstract should be self-contained and fully understandable without reference to other sources.
There are some circumstances where you might need to mention other sources in an abstract: for example, if your research responds directly to another study or focuses on the work of a single theorist. In general, though, don’t include citations unless absolutely necessary.
The abstract appears on its own page, after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .
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How to Write an Abstract for a Dissertation
At roughly 200 words, the abstract is the shortest part of the dissertation! Thankfully, it’s also one of the simplest to write – as long as you approach it sensibly…
The cardinal rule for writing an abstract is to leave it ‘til last. After all, the abstract is a summary of the entire dissertation, so it makes sense to leave it until the end.
Having said that, it’s a good idea to prepare yourself. If you learn how to write an abstract well ahead of time, there’ll be no last-minute panics. With that in mind, let’s run through the basics of writing a dissertation abstract.
What is the purpose of an abstract?
As mentioned, the abstract is essentially a summary of your dissertation. Think of it like a film synopsis or a book blurb. In roughly 200 words, it should tell the reader exactly what to expect from reading your dissertation.
A good abstract will also hint at the relevance and usefulness of the project. Indeed, in many ways, the abstract is an opportunity for you to ‘sell’ your project to the reader. The more compelling the abstract is, the more likely they are to read your dissertation.
What should an abstract include?
Later on, we’ll show you exactly how to structure an abstract. But first, it’s important to understand the elements of an abstract. In brief, an abstract should:
- Intrigue – In the first few sentences, you should introduce your topic to the reader, and highlight a key debate or issue that inspired the dissertation. If you can intrigue your reader in the opening sentence, they’re much more likely to continue reading!
- Convince – You’ll then need to convince your reader that your dissertation is necessary and worthwhile. Often, this is achieved by explaining how your dissertation extends or challenges the existing literature.
- Describe – You should describe the research methods very briefly but accurately.
- Inform – The abstract should be informative, particularly in relation to the findings of the study. It is not necessary to state all the findings, but you should highlight the key insights.
- Demonstrate relevance and usefulness – As mentioned, a good abstract finishes by saying who will find this research useful and why. Occasionally, it may also suggest directions for future research.
Remember, since the abstract is a summary of a project you’ve completed, it should be written in the present or past simple tense .
How should you structure an abstract?
The structure of an abstract can vary depending on the subject you are studying at university. Also, some universities have specific guidelines for writing an abstract, so always check with your tutor first. In particular, APA style has quite specific rules for formatting an abstract.
Though, generally speaking, the following structure is a good starting point for students in most subject areas:
1. Provide some background
The first 1-2 sentences should provide a very brief background to your topic of study. Remember, the aim is to intrigue here. These sentences are usually written in the present tense.
2. Refer to existing debates
Next, you should briefly explain the existing theory/research that has informed your chosen topic. If there are any key debates relevant to your topic, briefly mention them here. Try to limit this to 1-2 sentences and stick with the present or past tense.
3. Explain why the dissertation was worthwhile
In the next sentence or two, you’ll need to convince your reader that this study was worthwhile. Try to use the previous few sentences as a springboard, but explain why your study was unique.
4. State your research question
If it was not stated in the last section, the next sentence should clearly state your research question. You may have had more than one research question/research aim, but try to be as succinct as possible here.
5. State the methodology
In this sentence, you should clearly describe the methodology used . There is no need to explain why this method was chosen; just be as precise and succinct as possible.
6. State the key findings
The next sentence should explain the findings of your dissertation. Try not to be too technical here as your reader may be a novice. Also, there probably won’t be space to state all your findings, so present the ones that are most relevant and interesting. In fact, leaving a bit to the imagination is a good thing because it should intrigue the reader…
7. State who will find this research useful and why
In the last sentence, you should explain the usefulness and relevance of your dissertation. Consider: Who will benefit from this research? Does it have any practical applications?
8. List of keywords
Depending on your subject, you may be expected to provide a short list of keywords. This is common in Psychology research, for example. Check with your tutor if keywords are necessary. Remember, these should be listed in alphabetical order underneath the body of the abstract.
What’s the secret to writing a great abstract?
So, we’ve covered the basics of writing an abstract, but how can you write a first-class dissertation abstract? Well, we have two pieces of advice.
Firstly, be precise and succinct. Once you’ve written your abstract, you should set it aside for at least 24 hours, and then return to it with fresh eyes. As you read through it, cut out anything that’s not absolutely essential. Also, consider rewording sentences so that they are clear and readable. You can use our disseration writing services to help you with this.
Secondly, when you reveal your findings, try to find the right balance between revealing too much and revealing too little. It’s important to demonstrate that your study was interesting and relevant, but if you reveal too much, the reader may not want to bother reading your dissertation.
Indeed, writing a good dissertation is all about taking your reader on a journey and building momentum as you go. If you can manage this, you’ll keep your reader’s attention until the very last page! Creating this balance is not easy but it is a skill that can be developed through practice.
Common mistakes to avoid
So, we’ve reviewed the components of a good dissertation abstract. But what constitutes a bad abstract? Let’s finish by exploring some of the common mistakes students make when writing an abstract:
- Too long – Generally speaking, an abstract should be between 150 and 250 words, and it should fit on one page. If you make it too long, it won’t be compelling, and it’ll probably just confuse the reader.
- Lack of relevant keywords in the body of the abstract – Although an abstract should be written in reasonably non-technical language, it should include some relevant keywords. E.g. In the above example “Green marketing” and “Green purchasing behaviour” were pertinent keywords. Using appropriate keywords shows you’ve done wider reading and you understand where your project ‘fits in’ to the literature. Also, if your research were to be published, keywords would help other researchers to find it.
- Written in the wrong tense – A common mistake students make is that they write their abstract in the future tense (I.e. “This dissertation will explore the relationship between…”). The research has already been conducted, so it should be written in the past tense.
- Wrong positioning – The abstract should go after the title page and before the contents page.
- References and quotes – Generally speaking, an abstract should not contain references or quotations from other theorists. The only exception might be if your dissertation was solely focused on one particular theory/debate. In that case, keep quotes and references to an absolute minimum – your introduction and literature review will provide a comprehensive description of the theory!
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Steps Guide to Create Dissertation Abstract With Examples
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An abstract summarizes your entire dissertation, typically ranging from 200-350 words. It should provide a clear overview of your project and highlight the main points of your argument. To write an effective abstract, you'll need to be concise and organized while still presenting your ideas clearly and coherently.
If you're a student working on a dissertation, you know that writing the abstract can be one of the most challenging parts. But don't worry, we're here to help!
In this blog post, we'll give you a step-by-step guide to creating your dissertation abstract and some examples to help you get started. So read on and start writing an abstract that will make your professors proud!
What is a Dissertation Abstract?
How to write a good dissertation abstract, dissertation abstract example, tips to write a strong dissertation abstract.
‘What is abstract in dissertation writing?’
The abstract is designed to quickly summarize your dissertation in an engaging way. It aims to show readers what they can expect from reading it more thoroughly later on. It is an important part of dissertation writing and must be written carefully.
The abstract is a short and concise way of getting your research paper's message across. It should summarize the entire work in one paragraph, so it can be easily understood by readers who are not familiar with what it is about!
It should be included before the table of contents and after the title page and acknowledgments.
‘What should dissertation abstract include?’
Ideally, a dissertation or thesis abstract should include the following things;
- The study's and research's goal.
- Your dissertation's research methods.
- The key findings and results.
- The implications of the obtained results.
A good abstract discusses all these points. It is written in the present simple tense.
What is the Main Purpose of an Abstract?
The first purpose of an abstract is to capture the attention of potential readers before they read the rest of your work. It should specifically communicate what you were attempting to discover and how this research was conducted so that anyone interested can decide whether or not they want more information on that topic.
The abstract provides brief background information and introduces your work to the readers. It helps readers in deciding whether or not to continue reading your work. It should be included in all research projects and case studies, just like a literature review.
Dissertation Abstract Structure
Here are the sections that must be included in a dissertation abstract format.
- Introduction
- Aims and objectives
- Results and discussion
Dissertation Abstract Length
It varies depending on which college/university you attend. Some universities require that you summarize your study in one paragraph, while others ask for about 300-500 words.
Dissertation abstract word count varies based on different colleges’ policies, so be sure to check yours before writing it.
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Here are the easy steps to write a good dissertation abstract.
- 1. Explain the Research Purpose
Explain everything briefly and describe the significance of your research work. State the purpose and significance of your research and what the reader can learn from reading your paper.
The following are the components of an abstract:
- Your research objectives and questions.
- The significance of these research questions.
You must make this section extremely clear to capture your reader's attention and interest. This is where you'll "hook" them with a compelling introduction that will capture their attention in reading more about the project.
They might lose patience if we don't put in the effort from start to finish.
- 2. Describe Research Methodology
Describe how you responded to the research questions. This means that you will present the methodology and design of your research in this paragraph. It could be qualitative or quantitative in nature. Mention it whatever it is for your reader.
However, keep it brief and avoid providing all of the details here.
- 3. State Research’s Main Findings
This section contains the most important findings from your research. It should be concise and clear to readers about what you discovered, without padding it with unnecessary information or repeating things that have already been covered.
Remember to be concise and clear when summarizing the most important aspects of your study, namely answers to its original questions.
- 4. Discuss the Research Implications
Have you ever found yourself struggling to grasp the big picture while reading a lengthy paper? That is why we have implications. It explains what those numbers and findings mean in our daily lives as citizens and readers.
The following are the topics that should be discussed here.
- The significance of your research.
- The significance and impact of your research findings.
- Future research possibilities
Ensure that these elements are included in your abstract.
Here is a dissertation abstract sample PDF for your better understanding.
Thesis Introduction Chapter Sample
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation Thesis Introduction Chapter Sample](https://gradschoolgenius.com/include/blog/dissertation-abstract/dissertation-abstract-sample.jpg)
Here are the tips for writing a good and engaging abstract for your dissertation.
- Recognize the purpose of writing an abstract.
- Create an abstract after writing the entire dissertation.
- Explain each chapter in one to two lines before writing the abstract.
- Examine some abstract examples to gain a better understanding of them.
- Write clearly and avoid using overly complicated language.
- Concentrate on your personal research.
- Make an effort to keep everything concise and to the point.
- Keep the details for the main sections and don't include everything here.
- When you have finished writing your thesis abstract, it is time to read it and remove any errors thoroughly.
You can save time and effort by using these simple tips to write your dissertation abstract correctly. If you still require assistance, contact us at GradSchoolGenius for help! We are professionals who want nothing more than the best possible outcomes for students; they’ll be happy to assist with anything to get you a perfect paper.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between an abstract and an introduction.
An abstract is less than a page long, whereas an introduction is much longer. The introduction chapter is quite detailed, as it introduces the readers to each important and interesting detail. An abstract is unique in that it is used to capture the reader's interest.
How long should an abstract be for a 10000 word dissertation?
If you are writing a 10000-word dissertation, abstracts are typically about 300-350 words long. This is because it contains all the information necessary to understand what your paper is about.
What are the 5 parts of an abstract?
Here are 5 parts of an abstract:
- Research significance
- Methodology
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How to Write an Abstract for a Dissertation or Thesis: Guide & Examples
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A dissertation abstract is a brief summary of a dissertation, typically between 150-300 words. It is a standalone piece of writing that gives the reader an overview of the main ideas and findings of the dissertation.
Generally, this section should include:
- Research problem and questions
- Research methodology
- Key findings and results
- Original contribution
- Practical or theoretical implications.
You need to write an excellent abstract for a dissertation or thesis, since it's the first thing a comitteee will review. Continue reading through to learn how to write a dissertation abstract. In this article, we will discuss its purpose, length, structure and writing steps. Moreover, for reference purposes, this article will include abstract examples for a dissertation and thesis and offer extra guidance on top of that.
In case you are in a hurry, feel free to buy dissertation from our professional writers. Our experts are qualified and have solid experience in writing Ph.D. academic works.
What Is a Dissertation Abstract?
Dissertation abstracts, by definition, are summaries of a thesis's content, usually between 200 and 300 words, used to inform readers about the contents of the study in a quick way. A thesis or dissertation abstract briefly overviews the entire thesis. Dissertation abstracts are found at the beginning of every study, providing the research recap, results, and conclusions. It usually goes right after your title page and before your dissertation table of contents . An abstract for a dissertation (alternatively called “précis” further in the article) should clearly state the main topic of your paper, its overall purpose, and any important research questions or findings. It should also contain any necessary keywords that direct readers to relevant information. In addition, it addresses any implications for further research that may stem from its field. Writing strong précis requires you to think carefully, as they are the critical components that attract readers to peruse your paper.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation Dissertation Abstract](https://studycrumb.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd3ueqtv14wizl1.cloudfront.net%2FDissertation_Abstract_67b9f26bd5.png&w=3840&q=75)
Purpose of a Dissertation or Thesis Abstract
The primary purpose of an abstract in a dissertation or thesis is to give readers a basic understanding of the completed work. Also, it should create an interest in the topic to motivate readers to read further. Writing an abstract for a dissertation is essential for many reasons:
- Offers a summary and gives readers an overview of what they should expect from your study.
- Provides an opportunity to showcase the research done, highlighting its importance and impact.
- Identifies any unexplored research gaps to inform future studies and direct the current state of knowledge on the topic.
In general, an abstract of a thesis or a dissertation is a bridge between the research and potential readers.
What Makes a Good Abstract for a Dissertation?
Making a good dissertation abstract requires excellent organization and clarity of thought. Proper specimens must provide convincing arguments supporting your thesis. Writing an effective dissertation abstract requires students to be concise and write engagingly. Below is a list of things that makes it outstanding:
- Maintains clear and concise summary style
- Includes essential keywords for search engine optimization
- Accurately conveys the scope of the thesis
- Strictly adheres to the word count limit specified in your instructions
- Written from a third-person point of view
- Includes objectives, approach, and findings
- Uses simple language without jargon
- Avoids overgeneralized statements or vague claims.
How Long Should a Dissertation Abstract Be?
Abstracts should be long enough to convey the key points of every thesis, yet brief enough to capture readers' attention. A dissertation abstract length should typically be between 200-300 words, i.e., 1 page. But usually, length is indicated in the requirements. Remember that your primary goal here is to provide an engaging and informative thesis summary. Note that following the instructions and templates set forth by your university will ensure your thesis or dissertation abstract meets the writing criteria and adheres to all relevant standards.
Dissertation Abstract Structure
Dissertation abstracts can be organized in different ways and vary slightly depending on your work requirements. However, each abstract of a dissertation should incorporate elements like keywords, methods, results, and conclusions. The structure of a thesis or a dissertation abstract should account for the components included below:
- Title Accurately reflects the topic of your thesis.
- Introduction Provides an overview of your research, its purpose, and any relevant background information.
- Methods/ Approach Gives an outline of the methods used to conduct your research.
- Results Summarizes your findings.
- Conclusions Provides an overview of your research's accomplishments and implications.
- Keywords Includes keywords that accurately describe your thesis.
Below is an example that shows how a dissertation abstract looks, how to structure it and where each part is located. Use this template to organize your own summary.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation Dissertation Abstract](https://studycrumb.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd3ueqtv14wizl1.cloudfront.net%2FDissertation_Abstract_31769d7c3b.png&w=3840&q=75)
Things to Consider Before Writing a Dissertation Abstract
There are several things you should do beforehand in order to write a good abstract for a dissertation or thesis. They include:
- Reviewing set requirements and making sure you clearly understand the expectations
- Reading other research works to get an idea of what to include in yours
- Writing a few drafts before submitting your final version, which will ensure that it's in the best state possible.
Write an Abstract for a Dissertation Last
Remember, it's advisable to write an abstract for a thesis paper or dissertation last. Even though it’s always located in the beginning of the work, nevertheless, it should be written last. This way, your summary will be more accurate because the main argument and conclusions are already known when the work is mostly finished - it is incomparably easier to write a dissertation abstract after completing your thesis. Additionally, you should write it last because the contents and scope of the thesis may have changed during the writing process. So, create your dissertation abstract as a last step to help ensure that it precisely reflects the content of your project.
Carefully Read Requirements
Writing dissertation abstracts requires careful attention to details and adherence to writing requirements. Refer to the rubric or guidelines that you were presented with to identify aspects to keep in mind and important elements, such as correct length and writing style, and then make sure to comprehensively include them. Careful consideration of these requirements ensures that your writing meets every criterion and standard provided by your supervisor to increase the chances that your master's thesis is accepted and approved.
Choose the Right Type of Dissertation Abstracts
Before starting to write a dissertation or thesis abstract you should choose the appropriate type. Several options are available, and it is essential to pick one that best suits your dissertation's subject. Depending on their purpose, there exist 3 types of dissertation abstracts:
- Informative
- Descriptive
Informative one offers readers a concise overview of your research, its purpose, and any relevant background information. Additionally, this type includes brief summaries of all results and dissertation conclusions . A descriptive abstract in a dissertation or thesis provides a quick overview of the research, but it doesn't incorporate any evaluation or analysis because it only offers a snapshot of the study and makes no claims.
Critical abstract gives readers an in-depth overview of the research and include an evaluative component. This means that this type also summarizes and analyzes research data, discusses implications, and makes claims about the achievements of your study. In addition, it examines the research data and recounts its implications.
Choose the correct type of dissertation abstract to ensure that it meets your paper’s demands.
How to Write an Abstract for a Dissertation or Thesis?
Writing a good abstract for a dissertation or thesis is essential as it provides a brief overview of the completed research. So, how to write a dissertation abstract? First of all, the right approach is dictated by an institution's specific requirements. However, a basic structure should include the title, an introduction to your topic, research methodology, findings, and conclusions. Composing noteworthy precis allows you to flaunt your capabilities and grants readers a concise glimpse of the research. Doing this can make an immense impact on those reviewing your paper.
1. Identify the Purpose of Your Study
An abstract for thesis paper or dissertation is mainly dependent on the purpose of your study. Students need to identify all goals and objectives of their research before writing their précis - the reason being to ensure that the investigation’s progress and all its consequent findings are described simply and intelligibly. Additionally, one should provide some background information about their study. A short general description helps your reader acknowledge and connect with the research question. But don’t dive too deep into details, since more details are provided when writing a dissertation introduction . Scholars should write every dissertation abstract accurately and in a coherent way to demonstrate their knowledge and understanding of the area. This is the first section that potential readers will see, and it should serve as a precise overview of an entire document. Therefore, researchers writing abstracts of a thesis or dissertation should do it with great care and attention to details.
2. Discuss Methodology
A writer needs to elaborate on their methodological approach in an abstract of PhD dissertation since it acts as a brief summary of a whole research and should include an explanation of all methods used there. Dissertation and thesis abstracts discuss the research methodology by providing information sufficient enough to understand the underlying research question, data collection methods, and approach employed. Additionally, they should explain the analysis or interpretation of the data. This will help readers to gain a much better understanding of the research process and allow them to evaluate the data quality. Mention whether your methodology is quantitative or qualitative since this information is essential for readers to grasp your study's context and scope. Additionally, comment on the sources used and any other evidence collected. Furthermore, explain why you chose the method in the first place. All in all, addressing methodology is a crucial part of writing abstracts of a thesis or dissertation, as it will allow people to understand exactly how you arrived at your conclusions.
3. Describe the Key Results
Write your abstract for dissertation in a way that includes an overview of the research problem, your proposed solution, and any limitations or constraints you faced. Students need to briefly and clearly describe all key findings from the research. You must ensure that the results mentioned in an abstract of a thesis or dissertation are supported with evidence from body chapters. Write about any crucial trends or patterns that emerged from the study. They should be discussed in detail, as this information can often provide valuable insight into your topic. Be sure to include any correlations or relationships found as a result of the study. Correlation, in this context, refers to any association between two or more variables. Finally, write about any implications or conclusions drawn from your results: this is an essential element when writing an abstract for dissertation since it allows readers to firmly comprehend the study’s significance.
4. Summarize an Abstract for a Dissertation
Knowing how to write an abstract for dissertation is critical in conveying your work to a broad audience. Summarizing can be challenging (since precis is a summary in itself), but it is an essential part of any successful work. So, as a final step, conclude this section with a brief overview of the topic, outline the course of your research and its main results, and answer the paper’s central question. Summarizing an abstract of your dissertation is done to give readers a succinct impression of the entire paper, making an accurate and concise overview of all its key points and consequent conclusions. In every PhD dissertation abstract , wrap up its summary by addressing any unanswered questions and discussing any potential implications of the research.
How to Format an Abstract in Dissertation
Format depends on the style (APA, MLA, Harvard, Chicago), which varies according to your subject's discipline. Style to use is usually mentioned in the instructions, and students should follow them closely to ensure formatting accuracy. These styles have guidelines that inform you about the formatting of titles, headings and subheadings, margins, page numbers, abstracts, and tell what font size and family or line spacing are required. Using a consistent formatting style ensures proper readability and might even influence paper’s overall structure. Another formatting concern to consider when writing dissertation and thesis abstracts is their layout. Most commonly, your paper should have a one-inch margin on all sides with double spacing. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the right guidelines to get the correct information on how to write dissertation abstract in APA format and ensure that it meets formatting standards.
Keywords in a Dissertation Abstract
When writing thesis abstracts, it is essential to include keywords. Keywords are phrases or words that help readers identify main topics of your paper and make it easier for them to find any information they need. Keywords should usually be placed at the end of a dissertation abstract and written in italics. In addition, include keywords that represent your paper's primary research interests and topics. Lastly, use keywords throughout your thesis to ensure that your précis accurately reflect an entire paper's content.
Thesis and Dissertation Abstract Examples
When writing, checking out thesis and dissertation abstracts examples from experts can provide a valuable reference point for structuring and formatting your own précis. When searching for an excellent sample template, engaging the assistance of a professional writer can be highly beneficial. Their expertise and knowledge offer helpful insight into creating an exemplary document that exceeds all expectations. Examples of dissertation abstracts from different topics are commonly available in scholarly journals and websites. We also encourage you to go and search your university or other local library catalogue - multiple useful samples can surely be found there. From our part, we will attach 2 free examples for inspiration.
Dissertation abstract example
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation Dissertation Abstract Example](https://studycrumb.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd3ueqtv14wizl1.cloudfront.net%2FDissertation_Abstract_Example_0357fd0170.png&w=3840&q=75)
Thesis abstract example
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation Thesis Abstract Example](https://studycrumb.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd3ueqtv14wizl1.cloudfront.net%2FThesis_Abstract_Example_7717e95922.png&w=3840&q=75)
Need a custom summary or a whole work? Contact StudyCrumb and get proficient assistance with PhD writing or dissertation proposal help .
Extra Tips on Writing a Dissertation Abstract
Writing a dissertation or PhD thesis abstract is not an easy task. You must ensure that it accurately reflects your paper's content. In this context, we will provide top-class tips on how to write an abstract in a dissertation or thesis for you to succeed. Combined with an example of a dissertation abstract above, you can rest assured that you'll do everything correctly. Below are extra tips on how to write a thesis abstract:
- Keep it concise, not lengthy - around 300 words.
- Focus on the “what”, “why”, “how”, and “so what” of your research.
- Be specific and concrete: avoid generalization.
- Use simple language: précis should be easy to understand for readers unfamiliar with your topic.
- Provide enough relevant information so your readers can grasp a main idea without necessarily reading your paper in its entirety.
- Write and edit your abstract several times until every sentence is clear and concise.
- Verify accuracy: make sure that précis reflect your content precisely.
Bottom Line on How to Write a Dissertation or Thesis Abstract
The bottom line when it comes to how to write a dissertation abstract is that you basically need to mirror your study's essence on a much lower scale. Specifically, students should keep their précis concise, use simple language, include relevant information, and write several drafts. Don't forget to review your précis and make sure they are precise enough. In addition, make sure to include all keywords so readers can find your paper quickly. You are encouraged to examine several sample dissertation abstracts to understand how to write your own.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation Illustration](https://studycrumb.com/_next/image?url=%2Fimg%2Ficons%2F60%2Fhand-pointing.png&w=128&q=100)
Are you still struggling with your abstract? Contact our dissertation writing service and our qualified writers will gladly help you with this uneasy task. They will make sure it is delivered strictly on time and meets all requirements!
FAQ About Dissertation Abstract Writing
1. why is a dissertation abstract important.
Dissertation abstracts are important because they give readers a brief overview of your research. They succinctly introduce critical information and study’s key points to help readers decide if reading your thesis is worth their time. During indexing, an abstract allows categorizing and filtering papers through keyword searches. Consequently, this helps readers to easily find your paper when searching for information on a specific topic.
2. When should I write an abstract for a dissertation or thesis?
You are supposed to write a dissertation or thesis abstract after completing research and finishing work on your paper. This way, you can write précis that accurately reflects all necessary information without missing any important details. Writing your thesis précis last also lets you provide the right keywords to help readers find your dissertation.
3. What should a dissertation abstract include?
A dissertation abstract should include a research problem, goals and objectives, methods, results, and study implications. Ensure that you incorporate enough information so readers can get an idea of your thesis's content without reading it through. Use relevant keywords to ensure readers can easily find your paper when searching for information on a specific topic.
4. How to write a strong dissertation abstract?
To write a strong abstract for a dissertation, you should state your research problem, write in an active voice, use simple language, and provide relevant information. Additionally, write and edit your précis several times until it is clear and concise, and verify that it accurately mirrors your paper’s content. Reviewing several samples is also helpful for understanding how to write your own.
![what to write in an abstract of a dissertation Joe_Eckel_1_ab59a03630.jpg](https://studycrumb.com/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fd3ueqtv14wizl1.cloudfront.net%2FJoe_Eckel_1_ab59a03630_9fa254726b.jpg&w=128&q=75)
Joe Eckel is an expert on Dissertations writing. He makes sure that each student gets precious insights on composing A-grade academic writing.
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Writing A Dissertation Or Thesis Abstract
5 Common (& Costly) Mistakes To Avoid
By: David Phair (PhD) & Peter Quella (PhD) | February 2022
Writing a quality abstract is important as the abstract tells the reader what to expect in your thesis or dissertation, and it helps them to decide whether they should read the rest of your document. Over the years, we’ve reviewed thousands of abstracts . In this post, we’ll unpack five common mistakes we see and explain how you can avoid them when crafting your dissertation or thesis abstract.
Overview: 5 Abstract Mistakes
- Not understanding exactly what an abstract is (and does)
- Failing to cover the key aspects of your study
- Using body content verbatim instead of paraphrasing
- Having formatting and language -related issues
- Failing to include relevant keywords
1. Not understanding what an abstract is
A recurring issue we see is that students often don’t have a clear understanding of what an abstract is and the purpose it serves . This naturally has a major knock-on effect. Simply put, an abstract is a concise summary of your research project , and it should include a bit of everything from your thesis or dissertation. The purpose of the abstract is to tell the reader what to expect in your document and entice them to read the full document (or at least the parts that are relevant to them).
A good abstract should summarize the key components of your study, which means that it should include a brief introduction to your study, a summary of the key insights from your literature review, a high-level overview of your methodology , and a summary of the key findings . Importantly, your abstract should summarise the body content, not present new information . Never present any information in your abstract that is not presented in your main document.
When writing up your abstract, aim to do so as concisely as possible. You can think of your abstract as an elevator pitch – you want it to be short, sweet and representative of everything you want to get across. Less is more. Also, much like an elevator pitch, your abstract needs to tell a clear story on its own. So, it’s vital to create a clear narrative within your abstract that paints a vivid picture in the reader’s mind.
![dissertation-abstract-summary Your abstract is a summary. So, you should never present any new information that is not already presented in your main document.](https://gradcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/dissertation-abstract-summary.png)
2. Not covering the key aspects of your study
Another common mistake we see students making is not covering the key aspects of their studies in the abstract. While you don’t have much space to work with, an abstract still needs to cover the main details of your study. So, when you’re crafting this section, try to allocate 2-3 sentences toward each of your chapters.
Importantly, your abstract needs to explain what your study focuses on (i.e., your research aims and questions ) and how that is unique and important . In other words, it needs to justify your research . To do this, you can mention how your research connects to prior studies, and what differences justify the existence of your project. This should be rooted in the content presented in your introduction and literature review chapters.
The abstract should also provide insight regarding the methodological approach . Remember, the abstract is a summary, so while it’s important to outline your research methodology, don’t try to detail the entire design here. You just need to cover the high-level details , such as the methodological approach (e.g., qualitative), sampling strategy , data collection and data analysis methods.
Finally, your abstract needs to discuss your key findings and the implications thereof . It should address questions such as:
- What did you find?
- Why is it important?
- What implications (and applications) are there for your findings?
The word “key” is vital here – you don’t have to discuss every finding , just the ones that are central to your research aims and research questions.
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3. Using body content verbatim
Since the abstract is a summary of your work, you’ll generally write it last (although you can of course create an outline earlier in the dissertation writing process). Because of this, there is a tendency amongst students to copy and paste content from their body chapters (e.g., the literature review chapter, methodology chapter, etc.) to create an abstract. This is problematic, as the abstract needs to be an original piece of writing , not a hodgepodge of the existing body content.
A good abstract should present a be a smooth, clear narrative of what you set out to discover (i.e., the research topic and justification), how you approached it (i.e., the methodology), and what the results were. Importantly, you need to tell an engaging story with your abstract, as that is what will attract them to read the rest of your thesis or dissertation. To achieve this, you cannot simply copy-paste content from the body section of your document. You need to craft a unique piece of content that can stand alone and engage potential readers with an enticing narrative.
All that said, when crafting your abstract, a good starting point can be to copy-paste some key insights from each chapter so that you have everything in one place. You could, for example, have a few bullet points for each chapter. However, that is purely a starting point . From there, you need to craft an original piece of writing that will form a smooth, engaging narrative.
![good-abstract-example A good abstract should present a be a clear narrative of what you set out to discover, how you approached it, and what the results were.](https://gradcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/good-abstract-example.png)
4. Formatting and language-related issues
Another common issue we encounter is that of formatting and language -related issues in abstracts. Understandably, students are generally quite worn out by this stage of the dissertation and may slip up on the finer details. However, the abstract is your “shop window” – the first thing a new reader will encounter – so it needs to be very well polished . If you write a brilliant abstract but it’s riddled with spelling and grammar issues, you’re going to lose the reader’s interest (and, of course, marks).
So, what sort of issues do you need to avoid?
First – typically, an abstract doesn’t make use of citations , as these are reserved for the body content of the dissertation or thesis. However, you can use author names when referring to seminal work. For example, if your study is a response to prior research, you can name the researchers (but you don’t need to include a full citation). Of course, it’s worth noting that some institutions may have a different preference, so be sure to look at past dissertations and theses from your university program to gauge what the norms are.
Second – when writing up your abstract, try to avoid using excessive jargon , complex terminology and abbreviations. Always assume that you are writing for the intelligent layman . In other words, an intellectually curious outsider to your field of research. Ultimately, your abstract needs to be understandable to your audience and using excessive jargon or complex terminology may lose the reader . If you must use jargon or abbreviations to accurately represent a concept, be sure to explain each piece of terminology first.
Third – since your abstract needs to be concise, it can be tempting to write using bullet points and numbered lists. Typically, however, an abstract shouldn’t have bullet points , numbered lists, figures, or tables as it is a textual summary. So, avoid these at all costs.
Lastly – it may sound obvious, but your abstract needs to be “perfect” in terms of language use. All too often, we see spelling, punctuation, grammar and tense errors in the abstract. Since it is your “shop window”, these types of issues are inexcusable. So, be sure to carefully edit and proofread your abstract before submission.
![abstract-errors If you write a brilliant abstract but it’s riddled with spelling and grammar issues, you’re going to lose the reader’s interest.](https://gradcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/abstract-errors.png)
5. Not including relevant keywords
Another common mistake that we see students make is not including relevant keywords at the end of the abstract. Sometimes the keywords aren’t relevant, and sometimes they’re just altogether absent.
But what exactly are keywords?
Keywords are what make your research discoverable in search engines and academic databases – they’re like academic hashtags that connect research and make it possible to navigate through similar studies. An example of a keyword would be something like, “cognition” or “addiction”.
Typically, keywords can be quite vague or broad , so you’ll likely need to make use of key phrases to more accurately represent your research. Key phrases consist of multiple keywords, for example, “temporal cognition” or “Dutch sentence negation”. While key phrases provide more specificity than individual keywords, never use whole sentences as key phrases, these just look bad and make your research very hard to find. Ideally, you should try to stick to key phrases of 2-3 words.
In general, you should aim for 5-6 keywords/key phrases for your research project. However, it’s always a good idea to check with your institution to find out how many keywords/phrases they prefer. While it may be tempting to go full Instagram and use every keyword you can come up with, this is not advised as this can make your research look like it lacks credibility and specificity . It can also appear that you’re trying to game the system.
To identify relevant keywords, think about the research process and the kinds of search terms you used when performing your literature review, as these terms are a good start. Further, have a look at the keywords used in previous studies (i.e., the journal articles you read as part of your literature review) to identify relevant keywords.
![abstract-keywords Keywords are what make your research discoverable in search engines and academic databases – they’re like academic hashtags.](https://gradcoach.com/wp-content/uploads/abstract-keywords.png)
Recap: Abstract Mistakes
In this post, we’ve discussed 5 common mistakes to avoid when writing the abstract for your thesis or dissertation. To recap, these include:
If you have any questions about these mistakes, drop a comment below. Alternatively, if you’re interested in getting 1-on-1 help with your thesis or dissertation , be sure to check out our dissertation coaching service or book a free initial consultation with one of our friendly Grad Coaches.
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How to Craft a Killer Dissertation Abstract 2023
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Learn how you can write a top-rated dissertation abstract thick and fast, with our professional guide.
Special tip – maintain a hawk-eye to the end.
What is an Abstract in a Dissertation?
A dissertation abstract is a summary of the entire thesis. It gives the significant proponents of your paper in a highly condensed form.
An abstract in a dissertation serves the following functions:
- Acts as an introduction to your dissertation article
- Sets the stage for the thesis
- Can substitute the whole thesis
The elements of an abstract include:
- Research problem and objectives
- Major results
- The conclusion
It is an essential component of the thesis that can either earn you a top grade or be the reason for your academic downfall.
How to Write a Dissertation Abstract
It is essential to determine the type of abstract for your dissertation. In writing a dissertation abstract, take note of the following types:
- Descriptive Abstract
It gives the kind of information found in your paper. A descriptive outline is usually concise and can be about 100 words or less.
- Critical Abstract
It describes the main findings and, additionally, a comment on the validity, completeness, or reliability of the study. Due to its interpretive nature, it generally contains 400-500 words in length.
- Informative Abstract
As the name suggests, this type presents and explains the main arguments, essential results, and evidence in the thesis. Although the length varies, it is not more than 300 words in length.
- Highlight Abstract
It serves to attract the reader’s attention to the paper. It uses leading remarks to spark the interest of the audience.
We are now going to see how to write an abstract for a dissertation in ten significant steps:
Ten Top-Notch Steps to Writing an Abstract for a Dissertation
Step 1: Define the purpose of your research
Start by making plain the purpose of your study. State the research question you are going to handle or the practical problem of your paper.
Do not delve into much detailed information here. For starters, you can have a brief context on the social or academic relevance of your topic.
Write the objectives of your research after stating the problem. When indicating the goals, use verbs such as:
To test To investigate, To evaluate To analyze
Use either the present or simple past tense for this section. Do not use the future tense in any case since the research is complete already.
Dissertation abstract example for this section:
Correct: This study evaluates the relationship between COVID-19 and flu. Incorrect: This study will determine the relationship between COVID-19 and influenza.
Step 2: Identify the methods you are going to use for your research
Now in this stage, clearly make mention of the ways you are going to use to answer your research question.
Write it in one to two sentences without making it too long. Ensure that the points are precise and to the end.
It should be in the simple past tense. Why? Because you have already done your research and completed it using these methods.
Do not go into the strengths and weaknesses of the research methods. The reader should be able to read through it fast and still understand the strategy and methodology of your thesis.
Correct: Direct observation was conducted on 40 COVID-19 patients. Correct: Questionnaires were administered to 20 doctors dealing with COVID-19 patients. Incorrect: Laboratory experiments will be done with ten specimens.
Step 3: Make a summary of the results
After collecting data, it is time to give brief but elaborate results in the abstract for the dissertation.
The results section depends on the length and complexity of the research. However, ensure that it doesn’t make the abstract longer than is recommended.
Do not include irrelevant results which may not add any value to your paper. Strive to point out the essential outcomes of the article which support or answer your research question.
Write the results in either the present or simple past tense.
Correct: Our findings show a substantial similarity in the symptoms of both COVID-19 and flu. Correct: Our analysis showed a significant similarity between the symptoms of both COVID-19 and flu. Incorrect: Our study has shown a considerable similarity in the symptoms of both COVID-19 and flu. Incorrect: Our findings will be showing a substantial similarity in the symptoms of both COVID-19 and flu.
Step 4: Finish off with the conclusions from your research
Your abstract should have an answer to the research question, which is in this part. Your reader should get the main point of your thesis at this point. What has your research found or proved? The conclusion should be able to tell this to the reader.
Improve the credibility of your dissertation by adding any relevant limitations in this section of the abstract. From the thesis abstract examples, we are going to see below; it is evident that the conclusion is as brief as possible.
You can also have recommendations or suggestions for further research in your conclusion. Nevertheless, they should be as brief as possible. Do not write a long list that will interfere with the length of the abstract.
Write the conclusion in the present simple tense. Here are examples for your inspiration:
Correct: We conclude that flu is a primary symptom of COVID-19. Incorrect: We found that influenza is a primary symptom of COVID-19.
Bonus Tips for Writing a Dissertation Abstract
Now that we have looked at the essential steps to follow, here are some expert tips to crank up your abstract:
Follow the recommended formatting requirements for the abstract. The format will include; word limit, length, and spacing, style (APA, MLA, etc.)
The standard formatting requires that you do not write more than one double-spaced page.
- Avoid verbosity
Each word in a sentence counts due to the brevity of an abstract. Therefore, use short but communicating sentences.
Do not add unnecessary words or jargon, as this will obscure your abstract. Remember that the reader should be able to understand your abstract in the shortest time possible.
Ensure that you maintain the proper balance between the different elements of the abstract.
Checklist for Writing an Abstract
- The type of abstract identified
- The conformity of the abstract to the conventions of the type chosen
- Is the problem interesting to write on
- What is your approach? (Prototype models, analytical models, etc.)
- What’s the answer (results)
- What is the implication of your solution? (Conclusion)
Writing a successful abstract requires both hard work and determination, but its fruits are worth the struggle. As you plan to write yours, ensure that all the elements discussed above appear in your paper.
For expert writing help , we have professional dissertation writers to get you started. What are you waiting for now?
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How to Write an Abstract for Your Thesis or Dissertation What is an Abstract? The abstract is an important component of your thesis. Presented at the beginning of the thesis, it is likely the first substantive description of your work read by an external examiner. You should view it as an opportunity to set accurate expectations. The abstract is a summary of the whole thesis. It presents all the major elements of your work in a highly condensed form. An abstract often functions, together with the thesis title, as a stand-alone text. Abstracts appear, absent the full text of the thesis, in bibliographic indexes such as PsycInfo. They may also be presented in announcements of the thesis examination. Most readers who encounter your abstract in a bibliographic database or receive an email announcing your research presentation will never retrieve the full text or attend the presentation. An abstract is not merely an introduction in the sense of a preface, preamble, or advance organizer that prepares the reader for the thesis. In addition to that function, it must be capable of substituting for the whole thesis when there is insufficient time and space for the full text. Size and Structure Currently, the maximum sizes for abstracts submitted to Canada's National Archive are 150 words (Masters thesis) and 350 words (Doctoral dissertation). To preserve visual coherence, you may wish to limit the abstract for your doctoral dissertation to one double-spaced page, about 280 words. The structure of the abstract should mirror the structure of the whole thesis, and should represent all its major elements. For example, if your thesis has five chapters (introduction, literature review, methodology, results, conclusion), there should be one or more sentences assigned to summarize each chapter. Clearly Specify Your Research Questions As in the thesis itself, your research questions are critical in ensuring that the abstract is coherent and logically structured. They form the skeleton to which other elements adhere. They should be presented near the beginning of the abstract. There is only room for one to three questions. If there are more than three major research questions in your thesis, you should consider restructuring them by reducing some to subsidiary status. Don't Forget the Results The most common error in abstracts is failure to present results. The primary function of your thesis (and by extension your abstract) is not to tell readers what you did, it is to tell them what you discovered. Other information, such as the account of your research methods, is needed mainly to back the claims you make about your results. Approximately the last half of the abstract should be dedicated to summarizing and interpreting your results. Updated 2008.09.11 © John C. Nesbit
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- How to write an abstract for a dissertation
Helpful dissertation abstract writing Tips
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How to write an abstract for a dissertation? This process may seem daunting to many students because it involves their hard work and time to provide readers with excellent results. This guide can help you to simplify the work on a dissertation abstract. Read effective tips to get important tips to help you earn better grades after submitting your dissertation abstract structure. In a case when you cannot create a good document, contact our top essay writing service to provide you with fast and qualified help.
What is your abstract?
Before you start your research or study on writing a dissertation abstract, it helps to know the right definition of this academic assignment . What is it? It’s your summary of a future dissertation, which shouldn’t be longer than only 1-2 pages. It explains your research purpose to present its context and make other people want to read more.
Basic requirements
What are the requirements for a dissertation abstract? They’re likely to vary from one subject to another, any dissertation abstract should be concise, clear, written in your simple language to answer important research questions. Find good examples for writing a dissertation abstract online. Write it only after you have completed writing a dissertation. Your dissertation abstract should give all the needed information to readers to let them decide if they want to read your full paper. Include keywords to achieve this goal. Any typical dissertation abstract should be about 200 words, its length varies based on the demands of your university, its purpose, discipline (account or other subjects).
Important functions
What functions does your abstract have? This paper has three top goals:
- Offer a clear explanation of your dissertation title;
- Be a brief version to give information about the whole paper;
- Give a brief overview of the dissertation text to readers.
Further explaining your dissertation title is the basic function served by your abstract to let readers better define whether it’s interesting enough for them to keep reading. Further explaining your dissertation title is the basic function served by your abstract to let readers better define whether it’s interesting enough for them to keep reading. Needless to say that your well-written text attracts more people.
This paper is your brief version for people who don’t have enough time to read the whole project for any reason. Many scientists read only it without discovering full studies. Its function is to be your overview of what readers should expect to make it easier for them to understand your materials. Your well-written paper guarantees that all difficult dissertation materials are better or easier understood. That’s why it’s important to create successful content for the abstract.
Place, length, time
It shouldn't be more than 5% of your dissertation. Make sure it's not longer than one page to make it possible for readers to review it fast. Where to place it? Your dissertation abstract should be written before your table of contents and after a preface. Please make sure you created it in the present perfect or present tense.
Acronyms, source referencing
Remember that people should be able to read and understand your abstract without reviewing your entire dissertation. You have to introduce acronyms when you use them. And what about references? When you use any literature source in standard dissertations, you have to include references. But don’t use them in your dissertation abstract. Here you need to write mainly about your research and any important findings.
Abstract dissertation structure
What to include in the dissertations abstracts? Use any good example of a dissertation abstract outline to structure it correctly or ensure its proper flow. State the problem of your study and its importance. Let readers understand why they should care about it by giving them your clear picture of gaps in your research.
What is your procedure, methodology , approach? Include your statement of methods, cover results or findings, mention your conclusions or research implications. You need to answer a question about what it means for others.
Four Key elements
These elements define your abstract dissertation structure:
- Aims. First of all, define the main goal of your study. What problem or question you want to respond to in the dissertation? Feel free to include brief content of your topic but don't write too many details here. When the problem is defined, state the subject of your research. Please write this part in the past simple or present tense.
- Methods. It's important to state the methods you used for your research. Keep it short, you need to describe methods in just a couple of sentences. Write this part in the past simple tense. Remember that your goal here is just to describe without explanation of why you chose a particular method.
- Results. In this part, you need to make a summary of the research results. Make it in the past simple or present tense. Your dissertation may contain a lot of results, so it's not necessary to put all of them here. Just pick the most important and significant results to highlight.
- Conclusion. This is a final part of the abstract where you need to state that your research has argued or proved. Write the conclusion using the present simple tense. You can include some important limitations briefly here. If you were solving a certain problem, include implementation and recommendations in the conclusion. You also can mention any suggestions for further studies, if needed.
Helpful writing strategies
Remember that your dissertation abstract isn’t an introduction to begin your following academic paper. The abstract summarizes the whole dissertation text. That’s why copying any introductory paragraph isn't good writing practice. We suggest creating an abstract only when you finish other sections. Avoid using extracts from your dissertation as a fast way to make your abstract because it should be a separate piece of writing.
How to start
Write your dissertation at the start. Although your abstract always goes in the beginning, its function is to summarize your full paper or offer a brief overview of everything you put in the study. It doesn’t introduce any topic as a thesis does. Your thesis and dissertation abstract are completely different things because your thesis introduces major ideas or arguments, while abstract reviews your entire paper with its results and methods.
- Review all requirements given by the university professor;
- Consider your future audience;
- Determine its correct type.
Understand all writing requirements
This project has specific rules or guidelines, refer to their special rubric to identify important aspects to keep in mind and understand writing requirements.
- Are there any style requirements?
- Is there any required length?
Consider your audience
This paper is written to help others find your research or easily decide of it’s relevant to their interests. It helps all readers get at your major argument fast, keep their needs in mind when writing this paper. Will other academics read it? Consider your future audience before creating an abstract.
Determine its correct type
Although all dissertation abstracts accomplish one goal, they have two different types: informative or descriptive. We suggest using informative types for longer or more technical research and choose descriptive options for shorter papers.
Descriptive abstracts are usually 100-200 words long. Students use them to explain their research methods, goals, and purpose without explaining any results because they will be discussed in a separate section.
Informative abstracts are condensed versions of your paper to give a short overview of your research and its results. Their basic requirements for this document are similar. Remember that the main difference is that your informative type is longer and it must include research results.
Of course, writing a dissertation and an abstract isn’t an easy task. If you face any difficulties or problems, order this type of academic paper in our essay writing service. Choose a team of competitive and qualified professionals who will complete any complex assignment for you (an essay, dissertation, etc.) with ease and confidence. Contact us right now to get a successful paper to graduate without stress.
Dissertation Abstract Samples
Review these useful samples to create a strong abstract for your dissertation and graduate the university successfully:
George Roy, 2016 "Killing the Innocent: Illegal Abortion Should be Banned" Abstract: "The subject of abortion is very popular to discuss in different studies. Illegal abortion is a huge part of it, and in many countries, such operations are allowed without difficulties. I argue that these medical manipulations should be banned. Of course, sometimes a woman's health condition doesn't allow her to carry a healthy child, and a doctor could even recommend abortion. This could also happen if they discovered the fetus has some abnormalities, so without making an abortion, a woman would have a baby with mental or/and physical injuries. There is a big chance that such babies will not be able to live for long. But some religious views are totally against abortion and they suppose only God could give and take lives. It destroys a healthy nation and brings a lot of problems. The dissertation contains studies with a comparative analysis of statistics from countries where illegal abortion is banned and allowed."
Jessica Mayton, 2018 "Black Lives Matter: Problems of People with Other Skin Color in History" Abstract: "Black Lives Matter is a massive social movement in America. It proclaims that black lives matter, all people are equal and free, and people with black skin shouldn't be violated. The problem of people's inequality because of their skin color has existed in our history for a long time. Our society demonstrates black on black violence, for example, gang banging. How then can we prove that black lives matter? Is it only about when a white person commits something illegal on a black person? We should answer “no” to these questions. We shouldn't let our emotions bring any violence. It's obvious we need to respect our own culture and also other cultures and people around us. I state we should let stereotypes go, and accept other cultures and people like something great that deserves respect. Black people came into this world as all other people. We all are equal, and we all are great no matter how many flaws we may have. Black lives matter not only because in the Declaration all men are proclaimed to be equal. The dissertation contains some essay examples from history when someone tried to break the rights of black people without any punishment."
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How to Write an Abstract for A Dissertation or a Thesis
An abstract, is an important part of an academic work and a synopsis of a longer study such as a dissertation or thesis. Its most critical aspect is precise reporting of the objectives and outcomes of your research. Thus, the readers can learn about your work by perusing your abstract.
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Writing an abstract for your dissertation or thesis
An abstract, a synopsis of a longer study (such as a dissertation or thesis), is required. Its most critical aspect is precise reporting of the objectives and outcomes of your research. Thus, the readers can learn about your work by perusing your abstract. Even though you may have slightly varied structures depending on your discipline, your abstract should cover the purpose of your study, the methods employed, and the conclusions drawn. An ideal abstract should contain Introduction, Methods, Results, and Discussion.
Abstracts can comprise words in the range of 100–300. Primarily, a strict word limit is imposed. Hence, you must check to ensure you do not exceed the relevant requirements.
Its usual place in a dissertation or thesis is after the title page and acknowledgments just before the table of contents.
When should you write an abstract?
You must write an abstract on the following occasions: when finishing your thesis and dissertation, sending a research paper to a meeting or academic journal, penning a book proposal, and applying for research grants.
You must write your abstract last as it epitomizes the study you have already completed. Therefore, your abstract should be self-explanatory and reflect the structure of your research.
How can editing and proofreading help with your abstract?
Editing and proofreading your abstract is critical . A professional editing and proofreading service with trained and experienced experts with Ph.D. in their fields will edit your thesis or dissertation abstract without prejudice. Their suggestions will make the abstract more legible and practical.
Let us have a look at the parts you should discuss in your thesis or dissertation abstract.
1. Introduction
It would be best if you began by defining your research objective. You must address the issues such as what kind of down-to-earth and practical problems your research explores and what was your research question? A short social or academic introduction of your subject is fine but do not give unnecessary details. Should you have to use specialized terms with varied meanings, you had better define them concisely. After specifying the problem, disclose your research objective in precise words. I would recommend that you use words such as “test,” “analyze,” “explore,” “examine,” “assess,” or “evaluate” to define what you embarked on doing.
You must use present or past simple in this part. Be careful! You cannot use future tense because your research is already complete.
You must indicate the research methods utilized to address your research question. This part should concisely cover your research in a sentence or two. Usually, researchers prefer past simple tense because methods refer to completed acts. Try to avoid validity or obstacle assessment as you should give readers rapid insight into your research and methodologies.
You must epitomize your primary research results in this part. It must be in the present or simple past tense . Please try to avoid the present perfect tense as this tense relates to the present and past simultaneously. You may be unable to cover all your results here due to word limitations. Therefore, try to be concise and present what is most significant.
4. Discussion
Ultimately, it would help if you discussed your primary findings. This part should be in the present simple tense. The readers learn your answer to the research problem or question you have posted in this part. They should precisely understand the essential points that your study has discussed or proved. They must be in this part if you feel that crucial limitations to your research, such as limited sample size or not full-fledged methods, exist. Thus, the reader can precisely assess the credibility and universality of your study. Your objective may include solving a down-to-earth problem. Then, your discussion should cover recommendations for implementation. If you find it helpful, brief suggestions for further research will be appropriate.
This article summarizes what your thesis or dissertation abstract should and should not cover. Keep in mind that editing and proofreading services can do fine-tuning your abstract.
Why is editing and proofreading your dissertation or thesis critical?
Editing and proofreading your dissertation is exceedingly crucial . A professional editing and proofreading service has trained, experienced experts with PhD in their fields and will edit your work without prejudice. Their suggestions will make the dissertation or thesis more legible and practical. Another set of eyes can check your dissertation much better than you as they can readily find mistakes or areas that need fine-tuning. In academic writing, editing and proofreading ensure the credibility of the content. Many mistakes concerning grammar, punctuation, syntax, sentence construction and other minor errors are amended. An expert who will amend such mistakes will save time and ensure consistency and error-free writing for your thesis or dissertation.
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Best Edit & Proof expert editors and proofreaders focus on offering papers with proper tone, content, and style of academic writing, and also provide an upscale editing and proofreading service for you. If you consider our pieces of advice, you will witness a notable increase in the chance for your research manuscript to be accepted by the publishers. We work together as an academic writing style guide by bestowing subject-area editing and proofreading around several categorized writing styles. With the group of our expert editors, you will always find us all set to help you identify the tone and style that your manuscript needs to get a nod from the publishers.
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You discuss and explore your results' prominence, meaning, and relevance in the discussion chapter. Therefore, you should concentrate on what you have found and explain and assess how your findings relate to your literature review and research questions.
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The central tendency, mean, median, and mode depict where most data points concentrate, while variability illustrates how far they are. It is exceedingly crucial because the amount of variability demonstrates the generalization one can make from the sample to the population. Low variability is desirable because it implies that predicting information about the population using sample data is well-justified. Contrarily, high variability illustrates decreased consistency, making data predictions harder.
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What is a Dissertation Preface? Definition and Examples
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A dissertation preface is an integral part of the dissertation writing process for both graduate and doctoral students. Even though the preface is found at the beginning of the dissertation, it is essentially a task that authors engage in at the very end of their dissertation work.
What is a Dissertation Preface?
A dissertation preface is a section that precedes the main body of your dissertation. Unlike other sections of the dissertation, which are strictly academic and formal, the preface offers a more personal touch as it provides context and insight into your research journey. In this section, the author outlines the background and criticality of the work they have done, acknowledges contributions, and reflects on the experiences and challenges they faced during the research process.
The dissertation preface serves various purposes, including:
- Providing context : The key purpose is to provide the study’s main context so that the reader can understand its relevance and scope.
- Sharing the author’s experience in writing the document : In the preface, there is space for the author’s personal reflections as they talk about the importance of the work, personal experiences, and issues and challenges they would have faced. The author can discuss their research goals, the particular research methods that were utilized, and the reasons for their choice.
- Expressing the author’s motivation : The preface is also used to express the interests or motivations that led to the research and its writing.
- Acknowledging contributions : Although a separate acknowledgements section is often included, most authors choose to mention key institutions, faculty, mentors, family, and friends who contributed in significant ways to the research.
What to include in a dissertation preface?
Here are the essential components that should be covered in a dissertation preface:
- A short personal background of the author.
- A brief account of your personal experiences with the study matter or circumstances that inspired you to conduct the research.
- A brief description of how you did your research and any challenges during the research process.
- Mention the target audience of your dissertation.
- In the closing of the preface, provide your name and place. And date of writing.
Is Preface and Acknowledgements same?
While both the preface and the acknowledgements sections are personal, they are two very distinct sections that serve different purposes and are placed differently within a dissertation. Usually, dissertations contain either a preface or an acknowledgement section. As detailed above, the preface provides context, shares personal experiences while writing and the circumstances that motivated the conduct of the study. Institutions and critical individuals are also acknowledged for their contributions. The acknowledgements section is focused entirely on expressing gratitude to all persons and institutions that contributed significantly to the research and dissertation writing process.
How to write a dissertation preface?
- Provide a brief introduction to your topic: Begin with an engaging statement or anecdote that captures the reader’s attention and introduces your dissertation topic. Offer a glimpse of the content, key topics you discuss, and why your central theme or argument is crucial to be studied in depth.
- Express what inspired you to conduct the study: Briefly discuss the rationale for your research, including aspects that motivated you to delve deeper into the study.
- Detail your research process: Mention how you conducted the research, the setbacks or challenges, the choice of methods and so on can be outlined.
- Specify your target audience: This is important to engage the interest of the concerned people in your research work.
- Thank those who supported your research and dissertation: Give due credit to the people and institutions that helped you complete your research and dissertation.
Preface example
Understanding the existential issue of climate change and its impact on our environment, specifically on fragile coral reef ecosystems, has been a persistent goal for me since high school. The work before you is the result of this passion and my desire to discover ways to mitigate the damages caused by quickly changing climate conditions. Over the years, I have followed and put in many years of research and hard work to find ways to preserve these “rainforests of the sea.” Engaging with subject experts and advocates of environmental sustainability across academic circles and also the industry gave me the necessary wherewithal to start thinking of this research work.
As I went along this challenging journey, I learned many things that have enriched this study. From navigating the complexities of data collection to balancing academic commitments, each step taught me valuable lessons in perseverance and critical thinking. This would not have been possible without the encouragement and support of many people.
I am deeply grateful to my mentor and supervisor, Professor Janine Forsythe, for her guidance and support throughout this project. Her expertise and encouragement were invaluable in my research. A special thanks to my faculty for their support and for providing me with an enriching research environment. It would be remiss of me not to mention and thank the National Endowment Fund for providing me with the necessary grant, without which this work would not have been completed. Lastly, I am grateful to my family and friends for putting up with my long working hours and often distracted self. I hope my work will inspire others to take up further research and study in this field.
Peter Morris
Washington DC, 11 June 2022
In writing the dissertation preface, always remember to keep it brief, engaging, and impactful. Providing a personalized account of your motivations and study approach helps the intended audience to relate to your work. While you can write in the first person, ensure that you do not stray from an academic tone.
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An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a thesis , dissertation or research paper ). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers know exactly what your paper is about.
We explain exactly what a dissertation abstract is, why it's important and how to write it - step by step with loads of examples.
What is a Thesis or Dissertation Abstract? The Cambridge English Dictionary defines an abstract in academic writing as being " a few sentences that give the main ideas in an article or a scientific paper " and the Collins English Dictionary says " an abstract of an article, document, or speech is a short piece of writing that gives the main points of it ".
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Learn how to write an effective abstract for your dissertation with our comprehensive guide. Discover key components, practical tips, and common mistakes to avoid. Create a concise, clear, and compelling summary of your research.
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An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a dissertation or research paper ). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers know exactly what your paper is about.
At roughly 200 words, the abstract is the shortest part of the dissertation! Thankfully, it's also one of the simplest to write - as long as you approach it sensibly… The cardinal rule for writing an abstract is to leave it 'til last. After all, the abstract is a summary of the entire dissertation, so it makes sense to leave it until ...
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As you research, write down citation information for any sources you plan to use. Record quotes and ideas carefully, along with the page numbers where you found them. You can write them on note cards, on paper, or in a digital document. When writing your first draft, include enough citation information in the text to ensure accurate referencing.
Discover the definition, purpose, and essential components of a dissertation preface with examples. Learn how to write and differentiate it from acknowledgements.
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