How to Write a Clear & Concise Abstract | Scribbr 🎓

Summary

In this video, Jessica from Scribbr provides a step-by-step guide on how to write an effective dissertation abstract. She explains the key components, including defining the research problem, stating objectives, describing methods, summarizing key results, and drawing conclusions. Additionally, she offers tips on how to ensure clarity and accuracy, highlighting the importance of proofreading and adhering to formatting guidelines. Jessica emphasizes that the abstract should be self-contained and reflect the entire research process. The video also includes advice on adding keywords and the importance of proper revision before submission.

Takeaways

• 😀 An abstract is a concise summary of a dissertation or research paper, typically between 150-300 words.
• 😀 The abstract is always written last, even though it appears at the beginning of the dissertation or paper.
• 😀 Your abstract should be self-contained, not copied from the paper itself, and must summarize the research independently.
• 😀 Four key components should be included in your abstract: research problem and objectives, methods, key results, and conclusions.
• 😀 Start by clearly defining the research problem and objectives without going into excessive background detail.
• 😀 Use action verbs like 'investigate,' 'analyze,' or 'evaluate' to describe the purpose of your research.
• 😀 The methods section should be a straightforward description of what you did in 1-2 sentences, typically written in past tense.
• 😀 Summarize the main research results by highlighting key findings, focusing on what will help the reader understand your conclusions.
• 😀 Conclude with the main outcomes of your research, providing a clear answer to the problem or question posed.
• 😀 If there are limitations in your research, mention them briefly to allow readers to assess the credibility of your findings.
• 😀 If required, include a list of keywords that reflect the main elements of your research to aid in searchability.

Q & A

What is the purpose of an abstract in a dissertation?

An abstract serves as a concise summary of the entire dissertation, highlighting key aspects like the research problem, objectives, methods, results, and conclusions. It allows readers to quickly understand the core content of the research.

How long should a dissertation abstract typically be?

A dissertation abstract is usually between 150 to 300 words, but you should check specific requirements set by your university or journal.

Where is the abstract placed in a dissertation?

The abstract should be placed on a separate page, immediately after the title page and acknowledgements, but before the table of contents.

When should you write the abstract of your dissertation?

The abstract should be written after completing the dissertation, as it summarizes the final research, not an excerpt from the paper.

Can the abstract be copied from parts of the dissertation?

No, the abstract should be a self-contained, independent text that summarizes the dissertation, not directly copied from the paper itself.

What are the four essential elements to include in an abstract?

The four essential elements to include in an abstract are: the research problem and objectives, the methods used, the key results or findings, and the conclusion.

What should be included when defining the research problem in the abstract?

Clearly state the problem your research addresses, and include some brief context about its social or academic relevance, but avoid going into detailed background information.

How should the research methods be described in the abstract?

The research methods should be described concisely in one or two sentences, typically in past simple tense, as the research has already been completed.

What should be included in the results section of the abstract?

The results section should highlight the most important findings of your research, focusing on those that will help the reader understand the conclusions. Detailed results are not always necessary.

How should the conclusions be written in the abstract?

The conclusion should summarize the main findings and answer the research question. It should be written in present simple tense and provide a clear understanding of the research's main argument.

What should you do if your paper has important limitations?

If there are limitations to your research, such as issues with sample size or methodology, briefly mention them in the abstract to allow the reader to assess the research's credibility and generalizability.

What additional element might be required in the abstract for publication?

For publication purposes, a list of keywords may be required at the end of the abstract. These keywords should reflect the main elements of your research to help others find your paper during literature searches.