Activity
Question:
What is an
abstract also
known as?
Answer: No
Question: If not, then why write an abstract?
Answer: To provide a brief summary of a
thesis, research article, proposal or
conference paper.
Other common reasons are for selection and
indexing purposes:
Abstracts allow readers to quickly decide
whether it is within their range of interests to
read the longer article.
Online databases use abstracts to index larger
works. The keywords and phrases in abstracts
allow for easy searching.
3 Types of Abstract
Informative Abstract
The informative abstract, also known as the complete abstract,
is a summary of a paper's substance.
It includes its background, purpose, methodology, results, and
conclusion.
An informative abstract may be viewed as a standalone
document.
It is usually between 150 and 200 words.
Descriptive Abstract
The descriptive abstract is a description of what the paper
covers without delving into its details or substance.
It is like listing the table of contents in paragraph form.
For these reasons, the descriptive abstract is also known as the
limited or indicative abstract.
Graphic Abstract
Computer storage and retrieval systems
such as the Internet influenced some
scientific publications to start including
graphical abstracts alongside text
abstracts.
The graphic abstract is intended to
visually summarize the main thrust of
the article.
It is not intended to be as
comprehensive as the text abstract; it is
supposed to indicate the type, scope,
and technical coverage of the article at
a glance.
Structure Of An Abstract
Some elements relevant to the structure of an abstract:
Background information (research issues or problems)
Research purpose or focus
Research methods used (experimental research,
longitudinal studies, case studies, analytical models,
questionnaires, etc.)
Significant results or findings (if research is ongoing, then
preliminary findings)
Implications, conclusions and recommendations
Activity: Look at the sample abstract below and try to identify the
sections of the abstract which describe the purpose, the topic, the main
sections, and the conclusions.
This report investigates the current state of scanner technology and
examines the predicted future advancements of scanners. A brief history
of the scanner and its operation is initially outlined. The discussion then
focuses on the advantages and limitations of the five main types of
scanners in common use today: drum scanners, flatbed scanners, sheetfed scanners, slide scanners, and hand held scanners. The performance
of these scanners is examined in relation to four main criteria:
resolution, bit-depth, dynamic range and software. It is concluded that
further technological advances in these four areas as well as the
deployment of new sensor technology will continue to improve the
quality of scanned images. It is also suggested that specialised scanners
will increasingly be incorporated into other types of technology such as
digital cameras
Answer:
Abstract
Blue = purpose + topic
Black = main sections
Green Italics = conclusion
This report investigates the current state of scanner technology and
examines the predicted future advancements of scanners. A brief history of
the scanner and its operation is initially outlined. The discussion then focuses
on the advantages and limitations of the five main types of scanners in
common use today: drum scanners, flatbed scanners, sheet-fed scanners,
slide scanners, and hand held scanners. The performance of these scanners
is examined in relation to four main criteria: resolution, bit-depth, dynamic
range and software. It is concluded that further technological advances in
these four areas as well as the deployment of new sensor technology will
continue to improve the quality of scanned images. It is also suggested that
specialised scanners will increasingly be incorporated into other types of
technology such as digital cameras
Stylistic Considerations
The abstract should not exceed the word limit; it is often
one paragraph long.
Practise good editing to ensure that the Four C’s of
abstract writing are met:
1. Complete - all elements are covered (background info,
purpose, methods, results and conclusions)
2. Concise - cut out excess wordiness or unnecessary
information.
3. Clear - avoid jargon and ensure it is readable and well
organized.
4. Cohesive - smooth linguistic and logical flow of words
and ideas between the parts
ACTIVITY: Read the 3 abstracts provided in the following slides and comment
on them. Look out for the following problems:
Inappropriate use of the first person, singular referents.
The use of inappropriate tenses
Unnecessary introductory language/tone evident
Sentences that are too generic
An abstract that is too vague
An abstract that covers the paper instead of the subject
An abstract that unnecessarily details the structure of the paper
Unnecessarily short length.
Abstract 1:
The following report will be structured into four
sections consisting of (company name deleted)
history, products, company structure and two
projects that I have worked on during my first co
op rotation.
Problems (abstract 1):
1. No specific information. The sentence is generic; it could
apply to any report on any company, and since that is true the
sentence really does not apply to anything at all. The abstract
should include the history, products, company structure, and
work experience that the paper covers.
2. Future tense. In an abstract, do not ever write that your paper
will say something. Just say it!
3. This example is about the paper, not the subject. It does not
go beyond what the Table of Contents provides. The abstract is
not supposed to detail a paper's structure, it is supposed to
detail a paper's information.
Problems (abstract 1):
4. First person, singular referents. There should not be any
use of the word "I."
5. Unnecessarily short length. You have a page to work with;
use all that you need. As you gain the ability to write good
abstracts you will become better able to pare them down.
In total, this example does not qualify as an abstract, and
would receive no points when graded.
Grade
In total, this example does not qualify as an
abstract, and would receive no points when
graded.
Abstract 2 (for a design paper)
In recent years the use of energy efficient truss designs in
residential construction has become more mainstream. To gain
the full benefit of using this type of truss it is necessary to
install a wind wash barrier at the attic edge to prevent air and
moisture from passing through the edge of the attic insulation.
Currently used wind wash barriers are not totally effective at
blocking this air and moisture. Nine design constraints have
been established as a basis for determining the effectiveness of
a new wind wash barrier compared to two existing designs.
Upon completion of an objective evaluation of the three
designs versus the design constraints it is obvious that the
existing designs are not totally effective and the new design
would be very effective and less expensive
Comment
This is much better than the first example. Notice
particularly the greater level of detail provided.
The writer is not outlining the structure of the paper and
is trying to condense the key information.
The topic is identified.
Still, there are many problems
Comment
1. Introductory in tone. Notice that the first sentence is introductory in tone
and detail. The paper does discuss energy efficient trusses, but its subject is
wind wash barriers. An improvement would combine the information of the
first sentence with that provided in the second. "To gain the full benefit of
using energy efficient trusses in residential construction it is necessary to
install a wind wash barrier at the attic edge to prevent air and moisture
from passing through the edge of the attic insulation." The fact that the use
of these trusses has become more mainstream in recent years is tangential
to the main thrust of the paper, which is to detail a comparison of wind
wash barriers. The next step in improving the abstract would be to
recognize the overall introductory tone of the first three sentences. They
can all be eliminated or absorbed into the fourth sentence. "Nine design
constraints have been established as a basis for determining how well a
new wind wash barrier prevents air and moisture from passing through the
edge of attic insulation in residential construction, as compared to two
existing designs." Six lines have now been cut to less than three
Comment
2. Vague:
Obviously the paper details the design constraints and shows
how they apply to the three designs being considered. This is
key information.
Another paper could also cover new wind wash designs, but
use different design constraints as its points of comparison.
Such a paper would be significantly different from this one, yet
this abstract is too vague to show that difference. The design
constraints should be stated.
Grades
This abstract would definitely get some credit.
Some specific information about the topic is
provided, but more detail and less or no
introduction would be an improvement.
This example is not far from being a very good
effort, and as a draft it could have been the basis
of that better effort.
Abstract 3 (design paper)
(Company name) needed to solve the lamination problem on the (tool
name). A team was formed with the goal of reducing the rework due to
lamination by 90% and reducing machining cycle time by 50%. After careful
consideration of possible causes and solutions a five-factor half-factorial
design experiment on the die case process was completed. The five factors
were fast shot speed, intensifier pressure, dwell time, fast shot trip position
and system pressure. Random samples of parts were collected from each test
run. The area of the lamination on two areas of the part was measured.
(Name of software) was used to evaluate the experiment and calculate the
statistical significance of each variable along with any interactions between
variables. Results showed that high fast shot speed, linear slow shot speed
and low intensification interact with one another to produce a lamination
free part. The machine was set to the desired levels and a confirmation lot
was run. The results were better than expected, with lamination having been
completely eliminated
Comment
Notice the level of focus.
Whereas the previous example began with
introductory language on a tangential matter,
this last abstract gets directly to the problem
at hand.
The experiment by which the goal will be
fulfilled is detailed. The result of the
experiment is given.
Comments
Improvements would include eliminating the first
sentence, and listing the positive factors in the
sentence detailing the results in the same order as the
five factors which are part of the experiment
Grades
This abstract is the best of the three and
would receive full credit.