C.

Marriott

INTRODUCTIONS,
CONCLUSIONS & ABSTRACTS

Nov-19
 Introductions

1. Introduction:
• background/familiar knowledge about the area of research: scene-setting (the
‘once upon a time’ principle); what the dissertation is about and why you chose
this topic (academically/intellectually and even personally, if conventions allow)
• Thesis statement: research question/ argument/ claim/ hypothesis/ problem –
narrows/funnels down the field of research to a niche.
• Brief indication of the method and/or evidence used
• Map/overview of the work to follow (CAW 2011)

 Aims / Objectives / Research Questions

(Are they clear? Appropriate? Internally consistent? Large enough to be
worthwhile whilst small enough to be feasible?)
The question of aims etc. in this section is critical - get the help of your
Subject Adviser here. C. Marriott Nov-19
Task – Introductions
Group/Pair work (Socrative task):

 Read the text introduction & identify 3-5 key

features typical of an academic introduction to a
paper.
 Feed back.

C. Marriott Nov-19
 Conclusions / Recommendations

• Clear, concise and logical conclusions

• Critical evaluation and clear interpretation of findings
• Should follow on logically from the preceding chapters
• You might suggest areas for further research.

A look backward: brief recapitulation of the main point(s),

including strengths and limitations of research (N.B. you may
refer to strengths and weaknesses/limitations in your 385ACC /
309ECN ‘Analysis’ section as well)
A look forward: further research and/or wider
implications/usability of the research/findings; personal learning
(adapted from CAW 2011)
C. Marriott Nov-19
Task – Conclusions
Group/Pair work (Socrative task):

 Read the text conclusion & identify at least 3

features typical of an academic conclusion to a
paper.
 Feed back.

C. Marriott Nov-19
Informational Abstracts

• Communicate contents of reports

• Include purpose, methods, scope, results, conclusions,
and recommendations
• Highlight essential points
• Are short—from a paragraph to a page or two,
depending upon the length of the report (10% or
less of the report)
• Allow readers to decide whether they want to read
the report (The Owl at Purdue 2016)

C. Marriott Nov-19
Task – Abstracts
Group/Pair work (Socrative task):

 Read text abstract 1 & identify the key functions the

abstract performs for the reader.
 Feed back.

C. Marriott Nov-19
References

 Centre for Academic Writing (2011) Writing your dissertation

(August 2011). [PowerPoint] Coventry: Coventry University

 The Owl at Purdue (2016) Writing report abstracts [online]

available from
<https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/subject_specific_writing/profess
ional_technical_writing/technical_reports_and_report_abstrac
ts/index.html>[02 February 2019]

C. Marriott Nov-19