Ian F. C. Smith

Writing a Research Abstract

Disclaimer

This is mostly opinion.

Suggestions are incomplete.

There are other strategies.

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Why?

Research abstracts are needed for …• Intermediate thesis reports• Contributions to a summary of work by an

organization • The beginning of a thesis document, journal

paper and conference paper• Report your work to introduce yourself to other

research groups• Looking for a job after a thesis• Looking for money to continue research• Looking for money to start a company 3

What are the challenges?

Abstract length is limited (typically 200-400 words)– Staying accurate– Including important results– Leaving out less important results

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What are the challenges?

Readers have limited attention spans– Most people will scan– Must not use text simplifiers such as acronyms

and abbreviations unless everyone is sure to know them

– Should not use long compound-complex sentences

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What are the challenges?

Readers have limited interest– Most people are not in your field and not

interested (yet)– Those who are interested will refer to a longer

document to get more details

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Starting mindset

Writing a good research abstract means believing the following

• Short is sweet• Time spent doing some research tasks does not

create importance• Everything cannot be said• Importance criteria changes with the audience• Clear does not mean stupid

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What is the goal?

Before writing, identify the purpose of the abstract and the context in which it is read. This means you need to know• Who will read it (scientist, journalist, architect,

politician)• Where will they read it (in their office, on a wall,

at an exhibition)• Why is it important to do an abstract (see before)

Identify relevant trends that make this work timely. Examples are : convergence of technologies, drops in prices, increases in capacity, population trends, resource scarcity, climate change, other opportunities and risks.

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Give it “punch”

Answer these questions in as few words as possible (no sentences yet!)1. Why do this research (include trends here when

relevant)?2. What is new?3. How and what has been found?4. Why does it matter?

Now you can start writing!

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1. Why do this research?

Justification for research is• Answered in one sentence, refer to goals• Need input from team members• Usually related to the arguments used to fund the

work in the research proposal. Refer to this document.

• Depends upon the audience (focus and words) • Likely to be modified over time

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2. What is new?

Originality is established through use of one one, perhaps two sentences.Statement(s) that reveal research gaps and shortcomings.Typical words are “new approach”, “new method”, “new framework”, “new combination”. Instead of “new” one can use “novel”. Other possibilities are “innovative”, “original”, “unique”, “transformational”, “ground breaking”. It is better to understate than to overstate.There is no room for a literature survey. While it is possible to refer to “other work” no citations are made in abstracts. 11

3. How and what has been found?

These are sentences that usually contain either pairs of methodology (how) and results (observations) or pairs of results and conclusions.Four to six sentences are usually enough.Numbers can be impressive. “5000 simulations were performed and after falsification using sensor data, 310 were found to be feasible descriptions of reality”Conclusions must be included. (This is not a film summary where the end is purposely not revealed!) It is not enough to state observations only. 12

4. Why does it matter?

Done in one sentence. Refer to• Goals of work (see before)• May include social, technical, economic and

political links that have not been explicitly stated in goals

• How has the World been made to be a better place? Be careful not to oversell here(!!). Check with the senior author.

Total length of research abstract : 7-10 sentences13

Quality

Usually the first draft is not very good. To improve• Iterate 2-3 times• All team members should contribute• Individual words are important. Take the time to

find good ones.• 1-2 day minimum period between iterations. This

means that abstracts cannot be done in one day. Plan on one week at least.

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Conclusions

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Much can be accomplished with a good research abstract.Finding the right words and the right arguments can take a long time.Identify good abstracts from others to learn by example.Remember that there are many, many bad abstracts around.Improvement is always possible.