Abstracts

1. Abstracts Aren’t they fun?!

2. Why do we write abstracts?

3. Why do we write abstracts? • To introduce journal articles

4. Why do we write abstracts? • To introduce journal articles • To inform readers about an article’s content

5. Why do we write abstracts? • To introduce journal articles • To inform readers about an article’s content • To help a reader to decide whether or not to read an article or paper

6. Some points... The abstract is usually the first thing that a reader reads, so it’s important to make it look good.

7. Some points... The abstract is usually the first thing that a reader reads, so it’s important to make it look good. It’s a great way to advertise your work. If you get a reputation for writing good abstracts, (published in multiple databases), interest in your real work will follow.

8. Why should I know how to write an abstract?

9. Why should I know how to write an abstract? It helps you to present complex information in a clear, concise way.

10. Why should I know how to write an abstract? It helps you to present complex information in a clear, concise way. It helps you to read other abstracts more easily.

11. Why should I know how to write an abstract? It helps you to present complex information in a clear, concise way. It helps you to read other abstracts more easily. It helps you to conduct your own research.

12. Why should I know how to write an abstract? It helps you to present complex information in a clear, concise way. It helps you to read other abstracts more easily. It helps you to conduct your own research. It helps you to condense report information into a short format for database searches.

13. Why should I know how to write an abstract? It helps you to present complex information in a clear, concise way. It helps you to read other abstracts more easily. It helps you to conduct your own research. It helps you to condense report information into a short format for database searches. It helps you to write summaries.

14. When should I write an abstract?

15. When should I write an abstract? Some people write an abstract early in the paper writing process.

16. When should I write an abstract? Some people write an abstract early in the paper writing process. This is often too early.

17. When should I write an abstract? Some people write an abstract early in the paper writing process. This is often too early. Write the abstract after you have written the paper, otherwise you might not know what you are talking about.

18. When should I write an abstract? Some people write an abstract early in the paper writing process. This is often too early. Write the abstract after you have written the paper, otherwise you might not know what you are talking about! (One exception – conference abstracts.)

19. Qualities of a good abstract.

20. Qualities of a good abstract. 1. Usually not more than one well-planned paragraph, which is unified, coherent, and concise.

21. Qualities of a good abstract. • Usually not more than one well-planned paragraph, which is unified, coherent, and concise. • Uses a standard Introduction-Body-Conclusion format in which different parts of the report are discussed in order: purpose, research question(s), medthodology, findings, conclusions and recommendations.

22. Qualities of a good abstract. 3. Strictly follows the time-process format of the report or paper.

23. Qualities of a good abstract. • Strictly follows the time-process format of the report or paper. • Includes no new information – simply a summary of the paper or article.

24. Qualities of a good abstract. • Strictly follows the time-process format of the report or paper. • Includes no new information – simply a summary of the paper or article. • Can be read and understood on its own – without reference to the article or paper.

25. Qualities of a good abstract. • Strictly follows the time-process format of the report or paper. • Includes no new information – simply a summary of the paper or article. • Can be read and understood on its own – without reference to the article or paper. • Is intelligible to a wide audience.

26. So how do I write an abstract?

27. So how do I write an abstract? • Remember that a typical abstract contains topic, research questions, methodology, results and conclusions.

28. So how do I write an abstract? • Remember that a typical abstract contains topic, research questions, methodology, results and conclusions. • Read your paper all the way through, keeping these categories in mind, and underline key points as you find them.

29. So how do I write an abstract? • Remember that a typical abstract contains topic, research questions, methodology, results and conclusions. • Read your paper all the way through, keeping these categories in mind, and underline key points as you find them. • When finished, use your underlined key points as an outline for your abstract – easy!

30. An expanded list of what to include(depending on length)

31. An expanded list of what to include(depending on length) • Your research question.

32. An expanded list of what to include(depending on length) • Your research question. • Your main purpose or topic of the research.

33. An expanded list of what to include(depending on length) • Your research question. • Your main purpose or topic of the research. • The importance of the research.

34. An expanded list of what to include(depending on length) • Your research question. • Your main purpose or topic of the research. • The importance of the research. • Descriptions of key previous research (if appropriate).

35. An expanded list of what to include(depending on length) • Your research question. • Your main purpose or topic of the research. • The importance of the research. • Descriptions of key previous research (if appropriate). • The gap you are addressing – why is this necessary?

36. An expanded list of what to include(depending on length) • The approach/methodology adopted.

37. An expanded list of what to include(depending on length) • The approach/methodology adopted. • Key findings.

38. An expanded list of what to include(depending on length) • The approach/methodology adopted. • Key findings. • Implications of your research.

39. Questions you might ask yourself while planning your abstract

40. Questions you might ask yourself while planning your abstract • Why did I do my research? What was interesting or useful about it?

41. Questions you might ask yourself while planning your abstract • Why did I do my research? What was interesting or useful about it? • What have others written about it?

42. Questions you might ask yourself while planning your abstract • Why did I do my research? What was interesting or useful about it? • What have others written about it? • How did I do it?

43. Questions you might ask yourself while planning your abstract • Why did I do my research? What was interesting or useful about it? • What have others written about it? • How did I do it? • What were my main findings or results?

44. Questions you might ask yourself while planning your abstract • Why did I do my research? What was interesting or useful about it? • What have others written about it? • How did I do it? • What were my main findings or results? • What were my conclusions – what did it all mean? (Your abstract should answer all of the above!)

45. Some writing tips...

46. Some writing tips... • Write 1-2 sentences introducing the topic, purpose and research question.

47. Some writing tips... • Write 1-2 sentences introducing the topic, purpose and research question. • Write 1-2 sentences describing your research methods (could include type of data analysis).

48. Some writing tips... • Write 1-2 sentences introducing the topic, purpose and research question. • Write 1-2 sentences describing your research methods (could include type of data analysis). • Write 1-2 sentences describing the findings or results.

49. Some writing tips... • Write 1-2 sentences introducing the topic, purpose and research question. • Write 1-2 sentences describing your research methods (could include type of data analysis). • Write 1-2 sentences describing the findings or results. • Write 1-2 sentences describing your conclusions and recommendations.

50. Abstract Language What language do we use in an abstract?