An abstract is a brief piece of content that is usually placed at the beginning of the content piece. It is basically like a summary of the research paper that you are writing. A good abstract is usually a short paragraph of approximately 250 words. Abstracts are a very crucial part of research paper since they provide a gist of the entire paper in a few points. This gist helps the reader to get an idea of the parameters that the research paper will explore. He or she can accordingly decide whether to read the entire paper or not and what all content parts can be of use to them.
Moreover, when it comes to published research paper, the search engines make use of the words used in the abstract and title to index the publication.
So, the abstract also affects the SEO of the research paper, thus making it vital to formulate a good abstract.
There are various guidelines on how to write a good abstract.
Here We Discuss Some Of The Most Important Aspects Of Curating A Good Abstract For Your Paper.
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Decide the type of abstract you will write
There are two types of abstracts, namely, descriptive and informative. Decide for yourself which type of abstract will you write.
A descriptive abstract is a shorter version that summarises just the background, purpose, and objectives.
An informative abstract on the other hand is detailed and explains even the methods used, the results, and the conclusions.
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Know the guidelines
Go through an ample number of research papers in your niche. Figure out what is the format and type of abstract that most authors have used.
Search if there are any requirements like the minimum or the maximum number of words, the formatting and fonts, and the specific rules if any.
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Figure out your target readership
Decide beforehand the arena of the audience that you would target. Whether you are writing for academicians or the general public is an example of such a choice.
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Outline your abstract mindfully
The abstract is supposed to be very brief. Put only the relevant information into it.
Avoid long quotations, tables, abbreviations, etc.
Most importantly, use the right keywords in your abstract. They play a huge deal in deciding its reach.
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Formulate a well-defined structure
The structure of the abstract is eventually what makes or breaks it for the readers.
Here Are The Main Aspects Of Giving Your Abstract A Good Structure:
Identify your purpose and motivate the audience – Explain what made you choose the topic of your research.
What good will the content therein do to the readers? Why should they even care to read your entire paper?
This helps the reader to connect with the motive and pay attention to the content.
Express the problem that you will cater to – The problem that you plan to cater to in the paper acts as the missing piece of the puzzle that you will solve throughout your research paper.
It explains what is the central theme of your project. In simple words, it informs what is the problem that you are aiming to solve with your efforts.
Enlist your methodologies of research – In order to ensure transparency, it is important to explain to the readers which methods and approaches did you follow.
List down everything including the case studies you referred to, any on-site research, the variables used, and any evidence if needed.
This section explores the “how” of your research and takes the reader through the path of the various steps involved.
Summarize – State the results of your study in this section. Was it successful or not? How did you compare your hypothesis to the actual findings?
A point to note here is that do not use qualitative terms like “very”, “many”, “small”, etc. Rather use quantitative and concrete terms like percentages, figures, correlations, etc.
Also mention if there were any unexpected and shocking results.
Conclude – This is the last section of the structure. Give the final statement about your research here.
What were its implications, what results did it yield, and will it affect the field in which you conducted it? What changes can it bring to the field? What is the scope of improvement? etc.
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Follow up
Once the draft of the abstract is written, do the necessary follow-ups like
Revision- Review and revise the content. This is the basis for any written content. Edit and proofread if needed.
Get feedback- Ask for feedback and suggestions from your peers or teachers. They can point out any changes from the perspective of a reader.
Some Essential Tips:
- Always write your abstract from scratch. Never do the sin of cut-copy-paste with any of your abstracts even if they are of the same niche.
- Write your abstract at the end of your research and not the beginning. This helps in better summarizing.
- Make it brief and orderly. Do not explain too much or in a chaotic manner.
Conclusion:
Thus, these were the golden rules of writing a perfect abstract. However, writing an impressive abstract can be tough.
Hiring professional help can be a good option in such cases. Acadecraft is one of the leading providers of such services. From abstracts to research help, their professionals can help one craft the best abstract.
