Abstract or Summary
Tips to write a good paper abstract
The summary of a research paper, also called its abstract, comprises its principal contents and the outcome, which are presented very briefly and concisely. Simply put, it gives the reader a preview of the entire paper at a glance; a tightly written summary not only triggers the reader’s mind but makes him curious enough to read it fully. The creation of a perfect summary, therefore, needs a basic understanding of the study’s purpose or hypothesis. So, first, briefly discuss the research problem the paper aims to solve.
1. Research Design & Methodology:
The exercise commences by briefly describing the method deployed- qualitative, quantitative, or mixed. Furthermore, it highlights data collection methods like surveys, experiments, case studies, or computational models. Also, mention the sample size and criteria, along with data analysis tools and statistical models or software used. Key Findings: State the research’s most significant findings without adding extraneous details. Numerical facts, percentages, or relevant statistics can be included if they are relevant to the study’s significance. Conclusions and Implications: Summarize the key findings derived from the study. Explain any wider implications, real-world applications, or contributions to the discipline.
2. Be Brief and Neutral in your research summary:
A research summary needs to be written in plain, simple terms that are closed to interpretation or opinion. The text must steer clear of extraneous contextual information or explanations, literature summaries, or overly technical jargon. Yet another established thumb rule is to avoid direct quotes unless necessary. The findings need to be reported neutrally and objectively and should be devoid of judgment or additional analysis.
3. Logical Flow and Structure:
An organized overview attracts both understanding and readability. In the introduction, mention the title of the paper, its authors, and its principal goal. Subsequently, the body introduces the latest research processes and their respective findings, along with the ultimate implications, coherently. The conclusion, finally, is a summary that also mentions the study’s contributions, limitations, and future research recommendations.
4. Revise and Fine Tune:
It is mandatory to revise the summary thoroughly to ensure optimal accuracy and consistency. The ultimate aim of any research paper summary should be to connect with the reader instantly. Follow these steps, and you will successfully generate a sharp, engaging, and informative document that is bound to stand out.
5. Edit and Proofread:
One of the most important activities in a document is editing and proofreading it for context and language. An experienced editor checks the content for meaning and flow, while the content is checked for structure, language, grammar, punctuation, and other aspects.
6. A high-quality summary:
A high-quality summary of a paper means that the reader does not have to read the entire paper thoroughly. The summary should be able to give a good gist of what the paper contains.