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How to Write a Good Abstract

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How to Write a Good Abstract

A good abstract can set a good foot for you in your project. The summary not more than 350 words says very much about your project work and if it is worth reading. You do not want to give a bad impression and we are here to help you avoid that.

In this article, we will be looking at;

  • the meaning of abstract.
  • the criteria for writing an abstract.
  • how to write an abstract
  • an example of an abstract.

What is an Abstract?

An abstract is a brief summary of your project or a summary of a long publication. It is usually used in academic presentations to give the reader a synopsis of the research project. The aim is to explain the purpose of the paper in very brief and enticing manner that is very pleasing to the prospective reader.

Criteria for Writing an Abstract.

1. Finish your paper first:

Abstracts are usually written in proposals as things to be done and later changed to things done after data collection and compilation. However, your abstract should identify the purpose, problem, methods, results and conclusion of your work.

2. Your abstract must not be more than 350 words:

Since it is a summary, an abstract must not be lengthy. Remember one of its  aims is to enable the reader decide if it is the material he want to read or not besides a long abstract may not fit within pre-set publication page sizes.

3. A project abstract contains only one paragraph and no title. It includes:

  1. Introduction.
  2. Research significance (why you carried out the research).
  3. Methodology.
  4. Results.
  5. Conclusion.

4. Compose an understandable abstract:

Though you have been asked to summarize, don't compress words so much that the readers don't understand. Avoid using ambiguous words and follow the steps shown above (number 3).

5. Follow the specified typing method:

APA method is commonly used however to be on the safer side, follow your institution's specified method. In your abstract, do not include scientific symbols, acronyms, numbers, bullets or lists in the abstract. It should be single-spaced in 10-point Times New Roman and one paragraph.

6. Avoid excesses:

In your abstract, avoid defining terms, writing what is not in your overall project work or referring. Your abstract is strictly your work and composition, be creative with it.

How to Write an Abstract?

As stated earlier, you have to finish your paper first then you;

  • Introduce your topic, specifying the type of study you carried out, the target population, setting and methodology used.
  • Tell your reader what the problem you want to solve is or the goal of your project and how it will benefit the reader, your field of expertise, the government or the general public.
  • Briefly describe your methodology.
  • Indicate the most important findings of your study and describe your results.
  • Draw a conclusion.

Example of an Abstract.

Finally, here is an example of a descriptive abstract that you can use as you draft your own abstract:

Research topic: Effectiveness of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children.

The role of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis (ABS) in children is controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of high-dose amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate in the treatment of children diagnosed with ABS. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Children 1 to 10 years of age with a clinical presentation compatible with ABS were eligible for participation. Patients were stratified according to age (<6 or ≥6 years) and clinical severity and randomly assigned to receive either amoxicillin (90 mg/kg) with potassium clavulanate (6.4 mg/kg) or placebo. A symptom survey was performed on days 0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 10, 20, and 30. Patients were examined on day 14. Children’s conditions were rated as cured, improved, or failed according to scoring rules. Two thousand one hundred thirty-five children with respiratory complaints were screened for enrollment; 139 (6.5%) had ABS. Fifty-eight patients were enrolled, and 56 were randomly assigned. The mean age was 6630 months. Fifty (89%) patients presented with persistent symptoms, and 6 (11%) presented with nonpersistent symptoms. In 24 (43%) children, the illness was classified as mild, whereas in the remaining 32 (57%) children it was severe. Of the 28 children who received the antibiotic, 14 (50%) were cured, 4 (14%) were improved, 4(14%) experienced treatment failure, and 6 (21%) withdrew. Of the 28children who received placebo, 4 (14%) were cured, 5 (18%) improved, and 19 (68%) experienced treatment failure. Children receiving the antibiotic were more likely to be cured (50% vs 14%) and less likely to have treatment failure (14% vs 68%) than children receiving the placebo. ABS is a common complication of viral upper respiratory infections. Amoxicillin/potassium clavulanate results in significantly more cures and fewer failures than placebo, according to parental report of time to resolution.

Culled from: Wald, Ellen R., David Nash, and Jens Eickhoff. “Effectiveness of Amoxicillin/Clavulanate Potassium in the Treatment of Acute Bacterial Sinusitis in Children.” Pediatrics, vol. 124, no. 1, 2009, pp. 9-15.

There you go, all you need to write a good abstract. Good luck as you defend your project!