The abstract is possibly the most crucial part of your manuscript for a variety of reasons. First of all, journal editors read the abstract before deciding whether to send your manuscript for review. Similar to how it is the first section of your published work that readers look at, it is frequently the only part of the manuscript that they will ever read. This is in part due to the fact that many literature databases only index abstracts and full-text articles are frequently inaccessible.
- 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.
When to write an abstract
Although it appears to be the first section of your paper, the abstract should be written after you have finished writing your entire paper. It should be able to stand alone as a summary of your entire paper, and it should be understandable to someone who hasn’t read your paper or the related sources.
The abstract should be on a separate page and typically follows the acknowledgments and title page but comes before the table of contents.
What is an abstract?
An abstract is a succinct and impactful summary of a research paper’s main points. It is original writing, not an excerpt from a longer piece, and typically includes keywords that appear throughout the entire paper.
Abstracts generally contain four main elements:
Because they enable those considering reading an article to quickly determine whether it is what they are looking for or piques their interest, abstracts are helpful. Online databases also may use abstracts for indexing purposes.
What is IMRaD structure?
IMRaD structure is a common format for scientific articles. IMRaD stands for:
Introduction
You demonstrate in the introduction that you are familiar with the subject under study and the body of prior research in the area. A summary of the prior research, your thesis statement, a theory (if appropriate), and an explanation of the current situation should all be included in your introduction.
Method
This chapter should demonstrate how you used reliable, valid methods to arrive at your results. Here, you will describe your research, professional intervention, and any actions you took or did not take.
Results
Your IMRaD paper should devote the majority of its space to the findings and information you discovered. These statements should be written matter-of-factly and clearly.
Discussion
In this chapter, you should go over the findings of the study or project, compare them to those of other studies, consider whether further research is necessary, and offer suggestions that could be put into action.
How to write an abstract
The fundamental steps to writing an abstract are as follows:
1. Write your paper
2. Review the requirements
There may be particular length or formatting requirements if your writing is intended for journal publication or for a professional project. Review any requirements before you start writing the abstract.
3. Consider your audience and publication
It’s important to consider who will read the abstract as you write it because abstracts are meant to help readers quickly decide whether they want to continue reading your work. For instance, does it need to be written in a way that a lay reader can understand it or should it be written in a style appropriate for academics or the medical field?
4. Explain the problem
This is the specific issue that your study seeks to address or resolve. Determine your main point of contention and the subject matter of your study, whether it is a particular issue or a general one.
5. Explain your methods
After that, you’ll describe the steps you took to carry out your research, including the data collection, variables, and approach you used. Include any evidence you had to support your assertion.
6. Describe your results
Share the broad conclusions and conclusions you came to from your research. If you are unable to briefly summarize all of your findings, you can simply emphasize the most significant ones.
7. Give a conclusion
Address the significance of your findings and the significance of the paper to close out your summary. Both types of abstracts will have a conclusion, but only the informative abstract will go over the implications of your work.
Tips for writing an abstract
Here are some tips to help you write your abstract:
What to avoid when writing an abstract
When you are writing your abstract, you should avoid:
Example abstract
Here is an illustration abstract that you can use as a model when creating your own:
Andrea Messing, “Insect Repellent Potential of Peppermint Essential Oil.”
Abstract:
Mentha balsamea Wild, another name for the peppermint plant, is a cross between spearmint and watermint. In addition to its use as a dietary supplement or in health products, peppermint is frequently used for its ability to deter insects.
The goal of this research is to create an insect repellent using peppermint oil. A glass jar was filled with 25 grams of freshly crushed peppermint. The jar was then filled with olive oil, which was left to steep for two days in a warm environment. The oil was strained using folded cheesecloth after two days. The extracted oil was gathered and diluted 70% in three separate containers to be transferred into spray bottles
Anopheles juidthae (common mosquitoes) were sprayed onto the sample during testing, and the results were compared to those of a commercial insect repellant. This study disproves the notion that synthetic insect repellents are more efficient than alternatives based on pure essential oils.
How to Write a Clear & Concise Abstract | Scribbr
FAQ
What are the 5 parts of an abstract?
- Introduction. The first section of the abstract should be succinct and draw the reader in at the same time.
- Research significance. This typically responds to the query: Why did you conduct this study?
- Methodology. …
- Results. …
- Conclusion.
How an abstract should be written?
The main points of the entire paper are outlined in an abstract, typically in one paragraph of 300 words or less, in the following order: 1) the overall goal of the study and the research problem(s) you investigated; 2) the study’s fundamental design; and 3) any significant conclusions or trends you discovered.
What is abstract and example?
An abstract is a summary of your entire project, including your paper. It should have an intro, body and conclusion. It is a well-developed paragraph that should be precise in its wording and accessible to a broad audience.
What are the 4 qualities of a good abstract?
- Objective, aim, or purpose of the research paper. This part of the abstract mentions the study’s rationale.
- A method or methodology is a statement of the steps taken to conduct the study.
- Results or major findings. …
- Principal conclusion.
