Thesis Abstract Writing
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This document provides guidance on writing an abstract for a thesis or article. It explains that an abstract should be a short summary that identifies the main topics, arguments, or findings of the work. It should allow readers to understand the basic content without reading the full work. The abstract is written after completing the research and should be concise, using simple language and avoiding jargon. It typically includes four paragraphs that outline the objectives and scope, methods used, main results, and recommendations or conclusions. Keywords from the abstract are also included for indexing purposes. Common mistakes to avoid and additional resources for writing abstracts are also referenced.
Thesis Abstract Writing
- 2. Abstract •To be covered - Abstract – what, why, who, when, how? - Abstract - Extra Information - Abstract - Procedure
- 3. Abstract – What? - The abstract of a thesis or article is a short summary that explains the main argument(s), topic(s) or findings.
- 4. Abstract – Why? - To give readers a quick identification of the basic content of the thesis. - There should be no need to look elsewhere in the thesis for an understanding of what is said in the abstract.
- 5. Abstract – Who? - Written by you for the reader who may have no idea of the area your abstract covers - You need to make the abstract understandable & easy to read - KISS “Keep It Simple Stupid” or “Keep it short & Simple”
- 6. Abstract – When? - Written after your thesis - After thinking through the objective (reason for research) how you carried out the research your conclusions and recommendations - Sumarising the key points of the above
- 7. Abstract – How? • Some considerations first - The abstract should be very concise – the maximum length being 50% of one page (outside of the header formatting and keywords line) - Written in the past tense “the purpose of the research was to” - Cannot use first person singular “I” or “We” Can use “The author”
- 8. Abstract – How? • Some considerations first - British English or American English but not both - No abbreviations or acronyms e.g. “MRI” if you can help it - However if you need to use explain first in full form then use the short version e.g. “Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)” then just “MRI”
- 9. Abstract – How? • Some considerations first - Do not translate direct from your language to English - Do not copy the same structure as your own language abstract
- 10. Abstract – How? • Some considerations first - The abstract can be written as one large paragraph, or for easy reading you can use paragraphs for each section of the content. - Paragraph 1: objectives and scope - Paragraph 2: description of the methods used - Paragraph 3: a summary of the results - Paragraph 4: recommendations
- 11. Abstract – How? • Paragraph 1: objectives and scope - What was the aim of your research? What were you trying to find out? - “The purpose of this study was to….” Identify, discover, clarify (only if research completed previously) etc - E.G. “The purpose of this study was to identify what influences fashion has on teenagers”
- 12. Abstract – How? • Paragraph 1: objectives and scope - Explain a little about why your carrying out the research or for who - Why? The author has a deep interest in teenage fashion trends and wished to gain increased knowledge of this fashion segment - Who? The research was commissioned (requested, paid) by ……
- 13. Abstract – How? • Paragraph 2: description of the methods used - What were your research methods? How did you carry out your research? - “Both qualitative and quantitative research methodology was utilised in this study”
- 14. Abstract – How? • Paragraph 2: description of the methods used - Qualitative Information too difficult or expensive to qualify; value judgments typically involving group discussions or personal interviews. Often used when the research is looking to uncover more detailed information from research e.g. interviewing respondents to gain a deeper insight rather than just have them tick a box.
- 15. Abstract – How? • Paragraph 2: description of the methods used - Quantitative Research findings which can analysed and expressed numerically, often large sample surveys. Often used when the research questions are simple and do need a detailed explanation. Used when large number of respondents needed to provide statistical analysis.
- 16. Abstract – How? • Paragraph 2: description of the methods used - If you carried out interviews or a survey: How many? With who? Why (explanatory)? - E.G. Eighty (80) questionnaires were sent to teenagers in X school. The response rate was ninety (90.5) percent. Five teenagers were personally interviewed.
- 17. Abstract – How? • Paragraph 3:a summary of the results - What results did you discover from your research (not opinions) - E.G. Sixty percent of respondents indicated that fashion influences their choice in friends. - The results must come from the research you carried out or information if your thesis was a practical study.
- 18. Abstract – How? • Paragraph 4: recommendations - What recommendations or conclusions can you provide. - E.G. Conclusion: Teenagers appear to be strongly influenced by fashion and in particular fashion promotion by music stars. - E.G. Recommendation: It is recommended that fashion companies use music stars to promote their products to teenagers.
- 19. Abstract – How? • Keywords - Only six to seven maximum - Only those that appear in your abstract
- 20. Abstract – Extra Info •Common Mistakes - Common mistakes are noted online - Useful words, guidelines & an example abstract appear in my website
- 21. Abstract – Extra Info •Other Information sources Writing abstracts (Details what an abstract is, qualities and steps for writing a good abstract and common mistakes.) http://leo.stcloudstate.edu/bizwrite/abstracts.html What is an abstract? & how to write an abstract http://www.rpi.edu/web/writingcenter/abstracts.html http://www.unc.edu/depts/wcweb/handouts/abstract s.html