How To Write The Abstract For Your Dissertation Or Thesis (+ Examples)

Summary

This video explains the importance and structure of an abstract in academic research, particularly for dissertations, theses, or research papers. It defines the abstract as a concise summary covering the research purpose, methodology, key findings, and implications. While similar to an executive summary, an abstract focuses mainly on the research content rather than the findings. Viewers are advised to write the abstract last, ensuring it clearly reflects the study. The video also highlights the significance of abstracts for both potential readers and academic databases, making it an essential part of any research project.

Takeaways

• 😀 An abstract is a brief summary that highlights the key points of a dissertation, thesis, or research paper.
• 😀 An abstract typically ranges from 300 to 500 words, but this can vary by institution.
• 😀 A well-written abstract covers four essential points: purpose, methodology, key findings, and implications of the research.
• 😀 While similar to an executive summary, an abstract generally only outlines the study without discussing the findings in detail.
• 😀 The abstract should be written last, after completing all other sections of the dissertation or thesis.
• 😀 The abstract serves two main functions: informing readers about the research and helping academic databases categorize the work.
• 😀 The abstract acts as a 'shop window' for your research, helping to attract readers and researchers to your full work.
• 😀 The abstract is important for your marker, as they will assess your ability to concisely summarize the study's focus and findings.
• 😀 An abstract needs to be clear and accurate, as it is often the first and sometimes the only part of your research that people will read.
• 😀 When writing your abstract, make sure it can stand alone and effectively 'sell' your research to potential readers.
• 😀 You can find more guidance and examples of well-written abstracts in the accompanying blog post and video resources.

Q & A

What is an abstract in the context of a dissertation or thesis?

An abstract is a short but well-structured summary that outlines the most important points of a research study. It typically covers the purpose, methodology, key findings, and implications of the research.

How long should an abstract typically be?

An abstract is usually between 300 to 500 words in length, approximately one page. However, this can vary depending on the institution's specific requirements.

What are the four key elements an abstract should cover?

An abstract should cover the following four key elements: the purpose of the research, the methodology used, the key findings, and the implications of those findings.

How does an abstract differ from an executive summary?

While both summarize a study, an abstract typically only states the research's focus without discussing the findings, whereas an executive summary includes both the focus and the results of the research. In a dissertation or thesis, the abstract often covers both.

Why is it important to understand the purpose of an abstract?

The abstract serves two primary functions: it informs potential readers about the study’s content and helps academic databases categorize the research. This makes it easier for other researchers to discover and build upon your work.

What role does the abstract play in attracting readers to the dissertation or thesis?

The abstract acts as the first point of contact for potential readers. It needs to clearly communicate the essence of the research so that readers can decide whether to engage with the full study.

Why is it important for an abstract to stand strong on its own?

An abstract needs to provide a concise summary of the research so that readers can understand its purpose, methodology, and key findings without reading the entire dissertation or thesis.

How does the abstract help with academic visibility?

Keywords and phrases in the abstract, along with the keyword list, help academic databases categorize the work. This improves its accessibility and discoverability by other researchers and practitioners.

What is the significance of writing the abstract at the end of the dissertation or thesis?

It is best to write the abstract last because it summarizes the entire study, including the findings. As the research project evolves, the abstract needs to be revised to reflect any changes.

What should students avoid when writing an abstract?

Students should avoid writing the abstract too early in the process, as it will need to be rewritten multiple times as the research develops. It's important to craft the abstract only after the research is complete.