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Writing An Abstract: DR Cheryl Lange

This document provides guidance on writing abstracts. It discusses including the research question, purpose, importance of the research, key previous research, the gap being addressed, methodology, key findings, and implications. It notes that abstracts should be concise at 250 words or less and focus on the problem, research question, importance, previous arguments, findings, and implications for the field. Keywords should accurately describe the research. The document provides tips on writing abstracts for different contexts like conferences, journals, and dissertations. It emphasizes using active voice and non-evaluative language focused on what was done and found.

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Raul Souza
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134 views

Writing An Abstract: DR Cheryl Lange

This document provides guidance on writing abstracts. It discusses including the research question, purpose, importance of the research, key previous research, the gap being addressed, methodology, key findings, and implications. It notes that abstracts should be concise at 250 words or less and focus on the problem, research question, importance, previous arguments, findings, and implications for the field. Keywords should accurately describe the research. The document provides tips on writing abstracts for different contexts like conferences, journals, and dissertations. It emphasizes using active voice and non-evaluative language focused on what was done and found.

Uploaded by

Raul Souza
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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WRITING AN ABSTRACT

Dr Cheryl Lange
Edited for UoPeople use by Joseph Szewczyk
IMPORTANCE

• It’s usually the first thing that readers read so it’s strategic
to make a good impression.
• It’s an overview of the most salient aspects of your
research.
• A precise and engaging Abstract can help you get your
work well known as Abstracts are published on multiple
computerised databases.
WHEN TO WRITE AN ABSTRACT

• Many people write a draft abstract early


in the dissertation writing process.

• The final version of a dissertation abstract


can only be written after you have
completed your dissertation.

• Conference abstracts are usually written


before you write your paper.
WHAT TO INCLUDE – DEPENDING ON
1. Your research question THE LENGTH
2. Your main purpose
3. The importance of your research
4. A description of key previous research (optional)
5. The gap you are addressing
6. The approach/methodology you adopted (depending
on the focus of your research)
7. Your key findings
8. The implications of your research
QUESTIONS TO ASK

• When working out what to include in your Abstract, it is


helpful to ask the following questions.
• What is the problem or question that my dissertation
addresses?
• Why is it important?
• What have others written on the topic?
• How did I carry out the investigation?
• What did I find?
• What are the implications of my findings?
AN ALTERNATIVE SET OF QUESTIONS

• Some might find this set of questions more useful.


• Why did I do my research? What was interesting/useful
about my project?
• What was my methodology?
• What were my main findings/results?
• What were my principal conclusions?
• What do my findings mean?
A COMBINATION OF QUESTIONS

• What is the problem or • Why did I do my


question that my research?
dissertation addresses?

• Why is it important?
• What was
interesting/useful about
• How did I carry out the my project?
investigation?
• What was my
methodology?
• What did I find?

• What were my main


• What are the implications findings/results?
of my findings?
• What were my principal
conclusions?
METHODS/APPARATUS FOCUS

• If your dissertation is about a new method or apparatus,


you will want to include:
• the advantages (of the method or apparatus)
• how well it works
VARIATIONS ON THE THEME

• Abstracts written for the social sciences or sciences tend


to focus on:
• the scope
• purpose
• results of the work

• Abstracts written for the arts tend to include:


• background to the study
• central thesis
• conclusions drawn
CONFERENCE ABSTRACT
– A DIFFERENT TYPE OF ABSTRACT
• A conference abstract is submitted to a conference review
committee.
• The purpose of the abstract is to convince the committee
to accept your paper.
• If it is accepted, you will need to write a paper to
correspond to your abstract.
• A conference provides you with an audience for your
paper and an opportunity to get feedback on your
research.
• As it is not read in conjunction with your paper/dissertation,
it’s particularly important to write your abstract in a clear,
precise and engaging manner.
WRITING A JOURNAL ABSTRACT
1. Give a general idea of what the research is about.
2. Introduce your research question.
3. State why the research is important.
4. Review the arguments of previous researchers ( two
sentences).
5. Indicate a gap or limitation in previous research.
6. Report your findings.
7. Mention the implications of your findings for the field of
research.

Thanks to Dr Michael Azariadis, Graduate Education Officer, UWA for the ideas
above.
THE LANGUAGE OF ABSTRACTS -
GUIDELINES
• Use the past tense to refer to what was done and what
was found at each stage of the research.
• Use the present tense to comment on the significance of
your research/findings.
• Use active verbs whenever possible, e.g. ‘the study
tested’ instead of ‘it was tested by the study’.
• Use non-evaluative language - report not comment on
what you have done.
LENGTH

• Aim for
• No more than 250 words
WHAT NOT TO INCLUDE

• Definitions
• Acronyms, abbreviations
or symbols
• Information that is not in
the paper
TIP

• Write about each point in proportion to the emphasis it


receives in your dissertation.
KEYWORDS

• Spend time thinking about appropriate keys words to put


at the end of your Abstract.
• Appropriate key words help
• indexers
• researchers working in your area to find your work

Examples
1. Background check, character check, social
networking, social responsibility
2. Citizenship; Drama; Hazara; Media; Refugees;
Social Documentary
Clark, Leigh A. Roberts, Sherry J. 2010 ‘Employer’s Use of Social
Networking Sites: A Socially Irresponsible Practice,’ Journal of Business
Ethics, 95:507–525

Abstract What paper is about


The Internet has drastically changed how generally.
people interact, communicate, conduct business,
seek jobs, find partners, and shop. Millions of
people are using social networking sites to
connect with others, and employers are using
these sites as a source of background information Indication of previous
on job applicants. Employers report making research
decisions not to hire people based on the
information posted on social networking sites. Few
employers have policies in place to govern when Gap in policy
and how these online character checks should
be used and how to ensure that the information
viewed is accurate. In this article, we explore how
these inexpensive, informal online character Focus of research
checks are harmful to society. Guidance is
provided to employers on when and how to use
these sites in a socially responsible manner. Usefulness of information
in article
Abstract (journal article – not a dissertation)
In this paper we analyse two Australian What was done
television programs, Marking Time (2003) and
Molly & Mobarak (2004), foregrounding the ways What was of
in which ethnic Hazara refugees from interest
Afghanistan have been (re)presented. We argue
that by minimising cultural and religious
differences both Marking Time and Molly &
Mobarak construct and represent Hazara Afghan What was found
refugees as like a “certain us”, that is, as
members of Australian core culture who are
predominately white, family oriented and
inclusivist. However, their differences are not
concealed entirely and in both programs the
Hazara also appear as the “other”, that is, unlike
us. We point out some problems associated with
privileging similarity and the possible Implications
consequences of these representations within
policy making and Australian society more
generally. Rodan,Debbie & Cheryl Lange 2008 'Going overboard? representing Hazara refugees as
just like us' Journal of Intercultural Studies vol. 29, no. 1 pp. 153-169.

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