Definition and Purpose of Abstracts
An abstract is a short summary of your (published or unpublished) research paper, usually about a paragraph (c. 6-7 sentences, 150-250 words) long. A well-written abstract serves multiple purposes:
- an abstract lets readers get the gist or essence of your paper or article quickly, in order to decide whether to read the full paper;
- an abstract prepares readers to follow the detailed information, analyses, and arguments in your full paper;
- and, later, an abstract helps readers remember key points from your paper.
- The definition of abstract thinking with examples. Thought Experiment Developing an analogy that simplifies a complex problem. For example, Galileo's Ship is a thought experiment that says that if you drop a cannon ball from the mast of a moving ship, it should fall directly below where it was dropped and that this location is not influenced by the speed or direction of the ship.
- More abstract thinking slowly develops throughout childhood. They learn about people's emotions and soon realize how complex people can be. Later on, as they learn to read, they'll learn metaphors and be able to understand philosophy, math, and other concepts that require abstract thinking skills, which we'll talk about later.
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It’s also worth remembering that search engines and bibliographic databases use abstracts, as well as the title, to identify key terms for indexing your published paper. So what you include in your abstract and in your title are crucial for helping other researchers find your paper or article.
If you are writing an abstract for a course paper, your professor may give you specific guidelines for what to include and how to organize your abstract. Similarly, academic journals often have specific requirements for abstracts. So in addition to following the advice on this page, you should be sure to look for and follow any guidelines from the course or journal you’re writing for.
The Contents of an Abstract
Abstracts contain most of the following kinds of information in brief form. The body of your paper will, of course, develop and explain these ideas much more fully. As you will see in the samples below, the proportion of your abstract that you devote to each kind of information—and the sequence of that information—will vary, depending on the nature and genre of the paper that you are summarizing in your abstract. And in some cases, some of this information is implied, rather than stated explicitly. The Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association, which is widely used in the social sciences, gives specific guidelines for what to include in the abstract for different kinds of papers—for empirical studies, literature reviews or meta-analyses, theoretical papers, methodological papers, and case studies.
Here are the typical kinds of information found in most abstracts:
- the context or background information for your research; the general topic under study; the specific topic of your research
- the central questions or statement of the problem your research addresses
- what’s already known about this question, what previous research has done or shown
- the main reason(s), the exigency, the rationale, the goals for your research—Why is it important to address these questions? Are you, for example, examining a new topic? Why is that topic worth examining? Are you filling a gap in previous research? Applying new methods to take a fresh look at existing ideas or data? Resolving a dispute within the literature in your field? . . .
- your research and/or analytical methods
- your main findings, results, or arguments
- the significance or implications of your findings or arguments.
Your abstract should be intelligible on its own, without a reader’s having to read your entire paper. And in an abstract, you usually do not cite references—most of your abstract will describe what you have studied in your research and what you have found and what you argue in your paper. In the body of your paper, you will cite the specific literature that informs your research.
When to Write Your Abstract
Although you might be tempted to write your abstract first because it will appear as the very first part of your paper, it’s a good idea to wait to write your abstract until after you’ve drafted your full paper, so that you know what you’re summarizing.
What follows are some sample abstracts in published papers or articles, all written by faculty at UW-Madison who come from a variety of disciplines. We have annotated these samples to help you see the work that these authors are doing within their abstracts.
Choosing Verb Tenses within Your Abstract
The social science sample (Sample 1) below uses the present tense to describe general facts and interpretations that have been and are currently true, including the prevailing explanation for the social phenomenon under study. That abstract also uses the present tense to describe the methods, the findings, the arguments, and the implications of the findings from their new research study. The authors use the past tense to describe previous research.
The humanities sample (Sample 2) below uses the past tense to describe completed events in the past (the texts created in the pulp fiction industry in the 1970s and 80s) and uses the present tense to describe what is happening in those texts, to explain the significance or meaning of those texts, and to describe the arguments presented in the article.
The science samples (Samples 3 and 4) below use the past tense to describe what previous research studies have done and the research the authors have conducted, the methods they have followed, and what they have found. In their rationale or justification for their research (what remains to be done), they use the present tense. They also use the present tense to introduce their study (in Sample 3, “Here we report . . .”) and to explain the significance of their study (In Sample 3, This reprogramming . . . “provides a scalable cell source for. . .”).
Sample Abstract 1
From the social sciences
Reporting new findings about the reasons for increasing economic homogamy among spouses
Gonalons-Pons, Pilar, and Christine R. Schwartz. “Trends in Economic Homogamy: Changes in Assortative Mating or the Division of Labor in Marriage?” Demography, vol. 54, no. 3, 2017, pp. 985-1005.
Sample Abstract 2
From the humanities
Analyzing underground pulp fiction publications in Tanzania, this article makes an argument about the cultural significance of those publications
Emily Callaci. “Street Textuality: Socialism, Masculinity, and Urban Belonging in Tanzania’s Pulp Fiction Publishing Industry, 1975-1985.” Comparative Studies in Society and History, vol. 59, no. 1, 2017, pp. 183-210.
Sample Abstract/Summary 3
From the sciences
Reporting a new method for reprogramming adult mouse fibroblasts into induced cardiac progenitor cells
Lalit, Pratik A., Max R. Salick, Daryl O. Nelson, Jayne M. Squirrell, Christina M. Shafer, Neel G. Patel, Imaan Saeed, Eric G. Schmuck, Yogananda S. Markandeya, Rachel Wong, Martin R. Lea, Kevin W. Eliceiri, Timothy A. Hacker, Wendy C. Crone, Michael Kyba, Daniel J. Garry, Ron Stewart, James A. Thomson, Karen M. Downs, Gary E. Lyons, and Timothy J. Kamp. “Lineage Reprogramming of Fibroblasts into Proliferative Induced Cardiac Progenitor Cells by Defined Factors.” Cell Stem Cell, vol. 18, 2016, pp. 354-367.
Note: This journal calls this paragraph at the beginning of the article a “Summary,” rather than an “Abstract.” This journal provides multiple ways for readers to grasp the content of this research article quickly. In addition to this paragraph-length prose summary, this article also has an effective graphical abstract, a bulleted list of highlights list at the beginning of the article, and a two-sentence “In Brief” summary.
Sample Abstract 4, a Structured Abstract
From the sciences
Reporting results about the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy in managing acute bacterial sinusitis, from a rigorously controlled study
Note: This journal requires authors to organize their abstract into four specific sections, with strict word limits. Because the headings for this structured abstract are self-explanatory, we have chosen not to add annotations to this sample abstract.
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.
Abstract
“OBJECTIVE: 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.
METHODS: 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.
RESULTS: 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.
CONCLUSIONS: 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.” (9)
Some Excellent Advice about Writing Abstracts for Basic Science Research Papers, by Professor Adriano Aguzzi from the Institute of Neuropathology at the University of Zurich:
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Prodigy Math Game Tips And Tricks – Be The Best Student!
Prodigy is perhaps one of the most attractive and impressive math platforms in the world. This is similar to what you get with xtraMath, only in that it is more detailed and helps teachers get all the necessary mathematical training and grades from their students.
This is good for teachers. What about students? Everything can easily turn into a nightmare, especially if you are working on topics that you really don’t understand. This makes many students think of cheats and ways to circumvent tests.
Prodigy Math Game cheats seem like a great way to get around complex algebra and other math topics. However, with a platform designed to combat this, students can spend ages finding the latest tricks, the time they could spend on improving their maths.
Think Game Cheats Abstract Generator
In such serious cases, it would be better if you played the game as honestly as possible and avoided fraud. In the end, it’s better than doing the math with a pen on a piece of paper. However, if you feel that you need cheats and hacks for the Prodigy math game to gain an edge, check out the video below for more recommendations.
Apart from the basics, earningcurrencies plays an important role in this game. There are two major currenciesin it. Gold is the primary currency which may be typical to earn, but you canstill get a good amount because there are various methods offered by the developerswhich are making everything easier. However, Gem is the premium currency which is too much hard to earn, andyou can get a small amount even after numerous tries.
Such things are making this gamea hard challenge to complete. But, if you prefer the use of ProdigyHack, there is no need of worrying about a single thing atall. It is easy to use and highlyreliable as compared to other methods. But, if you don’t know that how toprogress with some common methods in the game, then this guide is definitelyfor you.
The below given are top five tipsthat can help beginners as well as intermediate to get on next level anderadicate all the issues with ease.
Think Game Cheats Abstract 3d
1. Eat Everything
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Even if you are heading over touse Prodigy Math Game Cheats, youshould check out the basic guidelines as you are doing in the game. It plays acrucial role in the safe and effective use. Keep it in mind that there isnothing harder than earning a gem and the cheat tool can provide you withoutany issue. Due to this particular reason, you must follow all the tips wiselyand then you are ready to go.
3. Upgrade Your Shark
Think Game Cheats Abstract Background
Gold and Gems are required toprogress in this game. If you are using gold, then you can upgrade yourexisting shark, and it will help to enhance the speed, increasing the size andthe other abilities. Due to this feature, you can be a good gamer. If you haveenough number of gold, then you must spend it wisely on the upgrades.
If you compare it with the gems,the role is totally different. It can help to change your shark and to get abigger one in a few clicks. But, you have to earn or collect a good amount ofit. The best shark will cost hundreds of gems but, you will be the best gamerafter that. The use of Prodigy hack can come in handy at such situations, andyou can rely on it without a single issue.
4. using Boosts
Most of the gamers think thatboost can come handy during the hour of a chase. Well, you are pretty muchright but evaluating the power of this feature the little bit less. The boostfeature is not only about the boost. It is also increasing, the size, abilitiesto eat and lot more. Whenever you use the boost, you can find that the sharkbecomes dangerous and wilder as compared to others.
Catching the squirrelly ocean creaturescan be typical in most of the cases, but if you are using the boost, then youdon’t have to worry about a single thing. The credit goes to developers wherethey added this feature as the best asset for gamers. You can rely on it andcatch more number of fishes and without any issue also. It is the most thereliable thing that you can do in the game.
Think Game Cheats Abstract Ideas
5. Hunt at Surface
One of the best places where youcan hunt a good number of creatures is the surface. You find the human beingand many other creatures which can offer you the double points of what you earnin the ocean. However, a shark is not that good at surface area that’s why youhave to stay selective in approach before getting started. Make sure that youmust be hunting at the surface area to avoid any future issue. These are someof the highly reliable, and you can try it out.
In addition to this, the use ofhack tool can help you progress faster and be the advanced gamer in the nick oftime.
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