How to Write an Abstract: A Comprehensive Guide for Research Writers
Writing a research paper or article involves a crucial step known as abstract writing. An abstract is a concise, stand-alone summary of a research paper or article, which usually appears at the beginning of the paper or article. Abstracts enable readers to determine if the paper is relevant to their interests quickly. Writing a clear and effective abstract can be challenging. However, this comprehensive guide seeks to help research writers confidently write abstracts that highlight the essential points of their research paper or article.
Importance of an Abstract
An abstract is vital in any research paper or article. It is the first point of contact between a reader and the research paper or article. More so, an abstract enables readers to determine whether the research paper or article is relevant to their interests. Therefore, it is advisable to write an abstract that showcases the significance of the research. This will encourage the reader to delve deeper into the paper.
An abstract serves as a summary of a research paper or article. It highlights the research problem, the methodology used, the results, and the conclusion. Therefore, it is essential to write an abstract that is concise and conveys the essential information to the reader.
Structure of an Abstract
An abstract has a typical structure that consists of the background, aims, methods, results, and conclusion. Each section plays an essential role in making the abstract comprehensive.
Background: This section highlights the research problem and outlines the primary objective of the study.
Aims: This section highlights the research questions or hypotheses and what the study aims to achieve.
Methods: This section outlines the methods used in the study to answer the research questions or hypotheses.
Results: This section outlines the outcomes of the research.
Conclusion: This section summarizes the main findings and the implications of the study.
It is vital to ensure that each section of the abstract is succinct and conveys the essential information of the research paper or article.
Tips on How to Write an Abstract
Writing an abstract requires exceptional writing skills. Here are tips on how to write an abstract that captures the essential points of the paper:
Use concise language: Use plain language and avoid using long sentences. The language used in the abstract should be easy to understand.
Avoid using Jargon and Acronyms: Jargon and acronyms can be difficult to understand, so it is advisable to avoid their use in the abstract.
Summarize the main points: The abstract should summarize the significant points of the research paper or article.
Stick to the word count: Ensure that the abstract does not exceed the recommended word count set by the journal or publisher. This is usually between 150 to 300 words.
Highlight the research significance: The abstract should highlight the significance of the research and its contribution to the research field.
Explanation of Technical Terms
Research papers and articles use different technical terms that may seem confusing to the readers. Here are some of the technical terms used in abstracts:
Problem Statement: This refers to the statement in the research paper or article that outlines the research problem.
Research Question: This is a question that outlines the research objective of the study.
Hypothesis: This is a statement that outlines the expected outcome of the research.
Methodology: This refers to the methods used in the research study.
Result: This refers to the outcome of the research or study.
Differences between Informational and Descriptive Abstracts
There are two types of abstracts- informational and descriptive abstracts. Informational abstracts are short and communicate the most critical findings of the research paper or article. They provide a summary of the research highlights. On the other hand, descriptive abstracts are longer and provide a summary of the research objectives, methodology, results, and conclusion. They are more common in scientific writing papers.
The choice between the two types of abstracts depends on the research paper or article’s target audience. Therefore, it is essential to determine the type of abstract that will be appropriate for the research paper or article.
Common Mistakes to Avoid When Writing an Abstract
Some common mistakes are made when writing an abstract, and they should be avoided at all times:
Including new information: Avoid including new information in the abstract. The abstract should only provide a summary of the research paper or article.
Making Unsupported Claims: Avoid making any unsupported claims in the abstract.
Exceeding the word count: Ensure that the abstract does not exceed the maximum word count recommended.
Examples of Effective Abstracts
Here are sample abstracts from published research papers:
Sample 1:
Title: The Effect of Sleep Deprivation on Cognitive Performance in Medical Students
Background: Sleep deprivation is a common problem faced by medical students. However, the effects of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance remain unclear.
Aims: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between sleep deprivation and cognitive performance in medical students.
Methods: A total of 200 medical students participated in this study. The participants were divided into two groups of 100 each. One group participated in the study with no sleep deprivation, while the other group underwent sleep deprivation. The cognitive performance of both groups was measured using a standardized questionnaire.
Results: The results showed that sleep deprivation has a negative effect on cognitive performance in medical students.
Conclusion: This study confirms that sleep deprivation has a negative effect on cognitive performance. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that medical students have adequate sleep to prevent the negative effects of sleep deprivation.
Sample 2:
Title: The Effect of Music on Cognitive Performance in Children
Background: Many studies have been conducted on the effects of music on cognitive performance. However, there is still a need to determine if there is a relationship between music and cognitive performance in children.
Aims: This study aims to investigate the effects of music on cognitive performance in children.
Methods: A total of 100 children participated in this study. The children were divided into two groups, one group listened to music while the other group did not. The cognitive performance of both groups was measured using a standardized questionnaire.
Results: The results showed that children who listened to music had better cognitive performance than those who did not listen to music.
Conclusion: This study shows that music has a positive effect on cognitive performance in children. Therefore, it is recommended that children listen to music to enhance their cognitive performance.
Conclusion
Writing an abstract is crucial in research paper or article writing. It is the first point of contact between the reader and the research paper or article. Writing a clear and effective abstract requires careful consideration of the research objectives, methodology, results, and conclusion. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the abstract is concise and conveys the essential information of the research paper or article before submitting it to the publisher or journal. Research writers should apply the tips and techniques in this comprehensive guide to write clear and concise abstracts.
