Abstract in Research
The abstract in research is a short statement about the research design. It gives the reader a concise understanding of your research and its findings. In Simple terms, we say that it is a mini version of your study. In short, it is a concise and broad overview of the content of an article. It enables readers to swiftly examine the contents of an article.
Readers frequently make their decision to read the complete article based on the abstract. Usually, it starts with a brief description of the topic and then follows research objectives, basic methodology, key findings, and concluding remarks. Abstracts often range from 100 to 300 words.
However, there are sometimes restrictive word limits, so it is important to verify the specific guidelines. In a dissertation or thesis, the abstract should be included on a distinct page, following the title page and acknowledgments but prior to the table of contents. An abstract is mentioned at the start of the study, but it is written after conducting and compiling the entire research.
Types of Abstract
It has basically four types of abstract.
Descriptive Abstract
A descriptive abstract in research briefly describes the longer work. It describes the work being abstracted. Writers frequently utilize descriptive abstracts. They provide the same material as informative abstracts but are shorter in length.
They resemble a summary of the work and are often concise. Typically consisting of around 100 words, these summaries just encompass the primary focus of the study without any conclusions or recommendations.
Informative Abstract
An informative abstract in research presents all the main arguments and important results. Authors and researchers most often utilize informative abstracts. They serve as a replacement for real articles by providing a concise summary of the main arguments and conclusions.
This includes the research’s background and significance, methodologies used, main findings, and concluding remarks. Informative abstracts typically consist of around 250 words.
Critical Abstracts
Critical abstracts in research are significantly lengthier than descriptive and informative abstracts. Typically, they are around 450 words in length and contain extensive analysis, including discussions on the study’s validity and reliability. Social science research often involves critical abstracts.
Highlight Abstracts
Highlighted abstracts are rare. Their primary objective is to capture the reader’s attention rather than provide a helpful overview of the work. Highlighted abstracts focus on the distinctive aspects of the research, such as significant findings or outcomes.
Characteristics of an Abstract
A good abstract should be:
- Accurate— It should be a true representation of its intended purpose and contents.
- Coherent— Write using precise and clear wording. Utilize the active voice instead of the passive voice.
- Concise— Make concise sentences that are informative, particularly in the opening phrase, should start the abstract by highlighting the most crucial aspects. The abstract should be highly informative and filled with details.
Importance of an Abstract
Abstracts in research have a crucial role in both the selection and indexing processes.
Selection
Abstracts serve as concise summaries that enable readers to promptly determine a document’s relevance to their objectives and whether it is necessary to read the entire work.
Indexing
The majority of academic journal databases available through the library can search abstracts, enabling users to retrieve them quickly. Abstracts should include the essential phrases, a prospective researcher could use to search.
How to Write an Abstract?
Step 1 – Introduction
Start by stating your research goal. What practical or theoretical problem or research topic did you address? Your dissertation topic’s social or academic importance can be briefly explained, but not in depth. This abstract section can be stated in the present or past simple tense but should never use the future tense.
Step 2 – Methods
Describe your research techniques to address your question. Simply describe what you did in one or two sentences. Since it relates to accomplished acts, it is normally written in the past tense. Give a brief overview of your strategy and methods.
Step 3 – Results
Summarize key study findings. Present or past simple tense can be used in this concept. Highlight only the most significant results to help readers understand your conclusions.
Step 4 – Discussion
Finally, share your research’s primary findings: what’s your answer? Your study should have convinced the reader of its main argument. Simple Present tense is used for conclusions. If solving a practical problem, your discussion may include recommendations for implementation.
Step 5 – Keywords
Publishing your work may need a list of keywords at the conclusion of the abstract. To assist readers in locating your study in literature searches, these keywords should highlight the most relevant research elements. Some publication guidelines, like APA Style, demand precise keyword formatting.
