An abstract is a single-paragraph summary of a research paper, thesis, review, or in-depth analysis of a particular subject or discipline. It normally contains around 150 – 300 words. It serves as an overview that allows readers to quickly understand the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions of the research. An abstract must be fully self-contained and make sense by itself, without further reference to outside sources or the actual paper.
Why write an Abstract?
- An abstract provides a summary of the main aspect of your study, allowing readers interested in the paper to quickly decide whether it is relevant to their purpose.
- Enable indexing and easier retrieval of your work in academic journal databases.
Key components of an abstract for an Academic Research Paper.
The format of an abstract will depend on the rules and standards of your academic field. An abstract of a more scientific research paper will contain elements not found in an abstract of a literature article, and vice versa. However, all abstracts contain the following key components:
- Introduction
A brief statement of the problem or objective of the research. Ask yourself questions such as: What is the importance of the research?, what general and specific problem(s) does your research address? What is the main argument, thesis, or claim?
- Methodology and Approach.
A concise description of the research methodology. An abstract of a scientific work may include specific models, approaches,
or protocols used.
- Results.
A summary of the key findings. What did your research accomplish or invent? You may include specific data that indicates results or discuss your research findings.
- Implications.
Ask yourself, what is unique about your work and how does it add to the body of knowledge on the topic? what are the applications of your study for future research?
Writing an Abstract Step-by-Step
Here are the basic steps to comprehensively write your abstract for an academic research paper.
Step 1: Write the Research Paper First
Before you can write an abstract, you need to complete your research paper. The abstract is a summary, so you need to know your main arguments and results to summarize them effectively.
Step 2: Identify Key Information
Go through your research paper and highlight the key points from each section:
- Purpose: What is the main question or problem you are addressing?
- Methods: What research methods did you use?
- Results: What were your main findings?
- Conclusion: What is the significance of your findings?
Step 3: Write a Draft
Using the information you have highlighted, write a draft of your abstract. Ensure you cover the purpose, methods, results, and conclusion. Be concise and clear, and avoid unnecessary details. In today’s world, you can use tools such as ChatGPT to help you combine answers in step 2.
Step 4: Refine Your Abstract
- Be Concise: Aim for brevity and clarity. Eliminate any redundant words or phrases.
- Use Active Voice: Write in an active voice to make your abstract more engaging and direct.
- Avoid Jargon: Ensure your abstract can be understood by a broad audience, including those outside your specific field.
- Check for Consistency: Ensure the abstract reflects the content of your paper accurately.
Step 5: Get Feedback
Have a friend or a classmate review your abstract. They can provide valuable feedback and identify any areas that need clarification or improvement.
Academic Paper Abstract Summary Example
Title: The effect of social media communication on consumer perceptions of brands
Abstract
Researchers and brand managers have a limited understanding of the effects social media communication has on how consumers perceive brands. We investigated 504 Facebook users to observe the impact of firm-created and user-generated (UG) social media communication on brand equity (BE), brand attitude (BA), and purchase intention (PI) by using a standardized online survey throughout Poland. To test the conceptual model, we analyzed 60 brands across three different industries: non-alcoholic beverages, clothing, and mobile network operators. When analyzing the data, we applied the structural equation modeling technique to investigate the interplay of firm-created and user-generated social media communication and examine industry-specific differences. The results of the empirical studies showed that user-generated social media communication had a positive influence on both brand equity and brand attitude, whereas firm-created social media communication affected only brand attitude. Both brand equity and brand attitude were shown to have a positive influence on purchase intention. In addition, we assessed measurement invariance using a multi-group structural modeling equation. The findings revealed that the proposed measurement model was invariant across the researched industries. However, structural path differences were detected across the models.
Point to note and common pitfalls to avoid while writing a research paper abstract
- Although an abstract is placed at the beginning of your paper, immediately following the title page, it should be the last thing that you write, once you are sure of the conclusions you will reach.
- An abstract should be a summary, not a comprehensive review. Avoid including detailed background information
- Stick to the main points of your research. Do not introduce new ideas or topics that are not covered in your paper.
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