Write an Abstract | Research Paper Guide 2024

An abstract is a concise summary of your research that helps readers decide whether to read the full paper. A good abstract can make the difference between your work being read or ignored.

What Is an Abstract?

An abstract is:

A self-contained summary (150-300 words typically)

The first thing readers see after the title

Often the only part people read

Indexed in databases for searchability

Types of Abstracts

Descriptive Abstract

Describes what the paper contains without revealing findings.
Length: 50-100 words
Use: Humanities, some social sciences

Informative Abstract

Summarizes all key components including results.
Length: 150-300 words
Use: Sciences, most academic papers

Structured Abstract

Uses labeled sections (Background, Methods, Results, etc.)
Length: 200-350 words
Use: Medical and health sciences

Key Components

Background/Context (1-2 sentences)

Why is this research important? What gap does it address?

Purpose/Objective (1 sentence)

What did you set out to do or discover?

Methods (1-2 sentences)

How did you conduct the research?

Results (2-3 sentences)

What did you find? Include key data.

Conclusions (1-2 sentences)

What do the results mean? What are the implications?

Writing Process

Step 1: Write After the Paper

Write your abstract last, after completing your research and paper.

Step 2: Summarize Each Section

Write one sentence summarizing each major section:

Introduction → Background + Purpose

Methods → Methods

Results → Results

Discussion → Conclusions

Step 3: Combine and Edit

Merge sentences into coherent paragraph(s). Trim unnecessary words.

Step 4: Check Word Limit

Meet the required length (usually 150-300 words).

Step 5: Add Keywords

Include 4-6 keywords that help with database indexing.

Example Abstracts

Sciences Example (Informative)

"Climate change increasingly affects agricultural productivity, yet effects on small-scale farmers remain understudied. This study examined how temperature increases impact rice yields among smallholder farmers in Bangladesh's Sylhet region. Using mixed methods, we surveyed 500 farmers and analyzed yield data from 2010-2020 alongside temperature records. Results showed a 4.2% yield decline for each 1°C temperature increase above 32°C during flowering stages. Farmers with access to irrigation experienced 50% less yield loss than rain-dependent farmers. These findings suggest that climate adaptation strategies must prioritize water access for vulnerable farming communities. Agricultural policy should incorporate irrigation infrastructure investment as a primary climate resilience measure."

(124 words)

Humanities Example (Descriptive)

"This article examines representations of disability in Victorian literature, focusing on works by Charles Dickens and Wilkie Collins. Through close reading and historical contextualization, the analysis explores how physical difference functioned as metaphor and how disabled characters challenged or reinforced contemporary social attitudes. The article argues that these authors' treatment of disability reveals tensions in Victorian conceptions of normalcy, productivity, and social worth. The study contributes to disability studies and Victorian literary scholarship by demonstrating how 19th-century fiction participated in constructing modern understandings of able-bodiedness."

(86 words)

Structured Abstract (Medical)

Background: Depression affects 300 million people globally, but treatment access remains limited.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a mobile app-based cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention for mild to moderate depression.

Methods: Randomized controlled trial with 450 participants assigned to app-based CBT (n=225) or waitlist control (n=225). Primary outcome was depression severity measured by PHQ-9 at 8 weeks.

Results: App users showed significantly greater reduction in PHQ-9 scores (mean difference -4.2, 95% CI -5.1 to -3.3, p<0.001) compared to controls. Treatment effects were maintained at 16-week follow-up.

Conclusions: App-based CBT is effective for mild to moderate depression and could increase treatment access in underserved populations.

(120 words)

Common Mistakes

Being Too Vague

Weak: "Results were significant."
Better: "Reading scores improved by 15% (p<0.01)."

Including Too Much Background

The abstract should focus on your research, not extensive context.

Using Jargon

Write for a broad academic audience, not just specialists.

Including Citations

Abstracts typically don't include citations (check your target journal).

Starting with "This paper..."

Jump straight into the content.

Not Matching the Paper

Your abstract must accurately reflect your paper's content.

Discipline-Specific Tips

Sciences

Include specific data and statistics

State the methodology clearly

Emphasize novel findings

Humanities

Focus on argument and significance

May be more discursive

Methodology may be implicit

Social Sciences

Balance between data and interpretation

Clearly state research questions

Include practical implications

Keywords

Select 4-6 keywords that:

Represent your main topics

Are terms researchers would search for

Include both specific and general terms

Avoid words already in your title

Revision Checklist

[ ] Covers all essential components

[ ] Within word limit

[ ] Can stand alone (makes sense without paper)

[ ] Free of jargon

[ ] Includes specific results (if informative)

[ ] Matches paper content

[ ] Flows logically

[ ] Proofread for errors

Conclusion

Your abstract is a miniature version of your paper that must convey purpose, methods, findings, and significance in very few words. Write it carefully—for many readers, it's the only part of your research they'll ever read.