Lesson 18: The Abstract Paper

Abstract - a brief summary of a research article and is written after the title page.

- a miniature version of your paper.

Purpose of an Abstract: to summarize your study, to give an overview of the topic, to get the reader
interested.

Components of an Abstract

1. Statement of the problem - entails answers to why the study is needed and what is the problem
about.

2. Methods - describes the participants and the method used in getting the results.

3. Results/findings of the study -presents basic findings and statistical significance level, effect size.

4. Conclusion/ Implications - presents the summary of the implication of the study.

Types of Abstract

•Informational abstracts

-Communicate contents of reports. -Include purpose, methods, scope, results, conclusions, and
recommendations.

-Highlight essential points

-Are short—form a paragraph to a page or two, depending upon the length of the report (10% or less of
the report).

2. Descriptive abstracts

-Tell what the report contains

-Include purpose, methods, scope, but NOT results, conclusions, and recommendations.

-Are always very short— usually under 100 words

-Introduce subject to readers, who must then read the report to learn study results.

Steps for writing effective report abstracts:

1. Reread your report with the purpose of abstracting in mind. Look specifically for these main parts:
purpose, methods, scope, results, conclusions, and recommendations.

2. After you have finished rereading your report, write a rough draft without looking back at your report.
Do not merely copy key sentences from your report. Do not summarize information in a new way.

3. Revise your rough draft to:

 Correct weaknesses in organization and coherence.

 Correct errors in grammar and mechanics.

4. Carefully proofread your final copy.

(grammar)