Den perfekten Abstract schreiben in 4 Schritten

Schritt-für-Schritt den perfekten Abstract schreiben

Ein Abstract ist eine prägnante Zusammenfassung einer wissenschaftlichen Arbeit, die in der Regel maximal eine halbe bis ganze DIN A4-Seite umfasst. Ähnlich wie bei einer Inhaltsangabe stellst Du dabei unter anderem die Leitfrage, diesbezügliche Hypothesen und Ergebnisse vor. Doch was gehört noch in einen guten Abstract? Und worauf solltest Du diesbezüglich beim Schreiben achten? Das beantworten wir Dir hier, damit Du in 4 einfachen Schritten den perfekten Abstract Deiner Abschlussarbeit zu Papier bringst.

Abstract – Definition

So schreibst du den perfekten abstract schritt-für-schritt, abstract: beispiel, faqs – abstract schreiben.

In einem Abstract, auch Kurzzusammenfassung genannt, schilderst Du die wichtigsten Elemente Deiner wissenschaftlichen Arbeit. Dazu gehören die Ziel- bzw. Problemstellung, Deine Hypothesen, die methodische Vorgehensweise und Arbeitsergebnisse. Sie fällt dabei deutlich knapper aus als Deine Einleitung.

Solch eine Übersicht erfüllt die Funktion, dass Leser:innen schnell die Wichtigkeit Deiner Arbeit für ihre Interessen erfassen können. Daher werden wissenschaftliche Abstracts von Texten mit am häufigsten angesehen (vgl. Esselborn-Krumbiegel, 2017). Länger als eine halbe bis ganze Seite sollte Deine Zusammenfassung jedoch nicht sein, wobei Du Dich diesbezüglich unbedingt über die jeweiligen Vorgaben Deiner Hochschule informieren solltest. Dabei positionierst Du Deinen Abstract in der Regel zu Beginn Deiner Arbeit, also vor oder nach dem Inhaltsverzeichnis.

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Obwohl Dein Abstract also nur eine knappe Übersicht darstellt, fällt es dabei oft gar nicht so leicht, ihn zu schreiben. Wie soll man etwa eine Dissertation , die sich über mehrere hundert Seiten erstreckt, auf einer halben A4-Seite zusammenfassen? Wir verraten Dir Schritt-für-Schritt anhand von 4 Fragen, wie das bei einem wissenschaftlichen Text jeden Umfangs gelingt! Beachte dabei: Die folgenden Fragen solltest Du beim Abstract schreiben unbedingt beantworten. Bei der Reihenfolge kannst Du aber, wie auch in der Einleitung, variieren.

1. Problemstellung/Leitfrage vorstellen

Im ersten Schritt Deines Abstracts nennst Du die Problemstellung oder Leitfrage etwa Deiner Bachelorarbeit . Welches Ziel verfolgst Du beim Schreiben? Was möchtest Du etwa beweisen oder widerlegen? Hier kannst Du auch etwaige Forschungsfragen aufführen, die sich aus Deiner übergreifenden Leitfrage ergeben.

Ziel der nachfolgenden Arbeit ist es, den Einfluss heteronormativer Kinder- und Jugendliteratur auf kindliche und jugendliche Leser:innen zu erforschen. Dabei stellen sich folgende Fragen: Wie unterscheidet sich die Rezeption kindlicher Leser:innen von der Erwachsener? Wie wirken sich dementsprechend heteronormative Strukturen in der Kinder- und Jugendliteratur auf das Selbstverständnis und die Wertevorstellungen dieser aus? Und welche Risiken und Chancen ergeben sich dabei für die Literatur?

2. Hypothesen formulieren

Im nächsten Schritt Deines Abstracts informierst Du kurz und knapp über mögliche Hypothesen, die sich aus der Problemstellung Deiner wissenschaftlichen Arbeit ergeben. Das kennst Du also womöglich schon von der Einleitung.

Möglich sind in diesem Zusammenhang eine Übernahme heteronormativer Vorstellungen in das Wertesystem der kindlichen Leser:innen, aber auch eine Infragestellung ist nicht auszuschließen. Relevant werden hierbei auch unter anderem die sozio-kulturellen und bildungsbezogenen Erfahrungswelten und Prägungen der Kinder sein.

3. Methodik nennen

In diesem Teil Deines Abstracts nennst Du dann die methodische Vorgehensweise etwa Deiner Hausarbeit .

Zur Beantwortung der Leitfrage werden die Ergebnisse quantitativer psychologischer wie auch literaturwissenschaftlicher Studien ausgewertet.

4. Ergebnisse aufführen

Hier solltest Du die wichtigsten Ergebnisse Deiner Arbeit nennen. Daher empfiehlt es sich übrigens, Deinen Abstract erst dann zu schreiben, wenn die eigentliche Arbeit bereits abgeschlossen ist. An dieser Stelle kannst Du dann auch Empfehlungen oder Ausblicke formulieren.

Es wird sich herausstellen, dass der Einfluss von Kinder- und Jugendliteratur einen erheblichen Einfluss auf das Selbst- und Weltbild der Leser:innen haben kann, sofern diese Einflussnahme von den sozialen, kulturellen und bildungsbezogenen Umständen der Kinder begünstigt wird. Daraus kann sich eine gewisse Verantwortung für Schriftsteller:innen und Verlagshäuser hinsichtlich der Darstellung heteronormativer Strukturen ergeben, derer sie sich bewusst sein sollten.

Du siehst also: Einen Abstract schreiben ist sehr viel einfacher, als Du denkst. Er ähnelt dabei in vielerlei Hinsicht Deiner Einleitung, was das Schreiben erleichtert. Außerdem hilft er Dir dabei, die Konsistenz Deiner Arbeit zu überprüfen und Deine Gedanken zu ordnen. Der Aufbau und Inhalt sind hierbei immer ähnlich, Du kannst Dich also jederzeit an unseren 4 Schritten orientieren. Zwei weitere Beispiele zur Orientierung, eins auf Deutsch und eins auf Englisch, findest Du im Folgenden. Denn manche Hochschulen, wie etwa die  Uni Graz , verpflichten ihre Studierenden dazu, ihre Abstracts auf Deutsch und Englisch einzureichen.

Abstract schreiben – Beispiel auf Deutsch

Ein Abstract ist eine kurze Zusammenfassung oder Übersicht, mit der Du Deinen Leser:innen die wichtigsten Eckpunkte Deiner wissenschaftlichen Arbeit vorstellst. Hier geht es nicht darum, neugierig zu machen, sondern Forschungsfragen, Hypothesen, Methodik und Ergebnisse prägnant auf den Punkt zu bringen. So können andere entscheiden, ob Deine Arbeit für ihre Zwecke relevant ist oder nicht. Na ja, außer vielleicht Dein:e Prof, denn der oder die muss da so oder so durch.

Esselborn-Krumbiegel, Helga (2017): Von der Idee zum Text. Eine Anleitung zum wissenschaftlichen Schreiben, 5. Auflage Paderborn.

Gruber, Helmut et al. (2012): Abstract, Exposé und Förderantrag, 1. Auflage Köln, Wien.

Was ist ein Abstract in Deutsch?

Ein Abstract ist eine Art Kurzzusammenfassung, in der Du die wichtigsten Elemente Deiner wissenschaftlichen Arbeit auf den Punkt bringst. Dazu gehören die Problem- oder Zielstellung (das Thema), Hypothesen, Methoden und Ergebnisse Deiner Abschlussarbeit. Inhalt und Aufbau dieser kurzen Übersicht sind also immer ähnlich. Beispiele findest Du weiter oben auf Deutsch oder Englisch.

Welche Funktion hat ein Abstract?

Ein Abstract soll andere darüber informieren, was sie in Deiner Arbeit erwartet, wobei es nicht nur um das wissenschaftliche Thema geht. So können sie entscheiden, ob Dein Text für ihre Interessen relevant ist oder nicht. Außerdem entscheidet die Qualität eines Abstracts oft darüber, ob eine Arbeit zugelassen oder gefördert wird (vgl. Gruber et al., 2012). Es ist also eine wichtige wissenschaftliche Praxis, einen Abstract zu schreiben. Damit bei dieser Übersicht auch nichts schiefgeht, empfehlen wir Dir unsere Korrektur der Masterarbeit .

Was kommt in die Kurzzusammenfassung?

Du kannst Dich hierbei an unseren 4 Schritten zum perfekten Abstract orientieren. Die Reihenfolge bleibt zwar Dir überlassen, aber Du solltest auf jeden Fall 1. die Problemstellung/Leitfrage, 2. Hypothesen, 3. die wissenschaftliche Methodik und 4. Deine Arbeitsergebnisse präsentieren. Dabei ist diese Art der Zusammenfassung nicht länger als eine halbe bis ganze Seite oder 200-250 Wörter, wie Du auch den Ausführungen der Uni Regensburg  entnehmen kannst. Abstracts sind damit kürzer als die Einleitung, enthalten aber mehr als nur das Thema.

Ist ein Abstract Pflicht?

In kürzeren Hausarbeiten wird auf ein Abstract oft verzichtet. Bei einer umfangreicheren Abschlussarbeit setzen Deine Prüfer:innen sie hingegen für gewöhnlich voraus. Informier Dich unbedingt in der jeweiligen Prüfungsordnung Deiner Universität oder direkt bei Deinem oder Deiner Betreuer:in. Bei der Gelegenheit kannst Du Dich auch mit den Anforderungen an die Formatierung Deiner Arbeit vertraut machen.

Wird in einer Zusammenfassung zitiert?

Beziehst Du Dich in Deinem Abstract auf die Gedanken oder Ergebnisse Dritter, solltest Du diese auch kenntlich machen. Hierbei unterstützen wir Dich gerne im Rahmen unserer Plagiatsprüfung . In der Regel benötigst Du im Abstract aber keine Quellen, da Du Deine Abschlussarbeit und deren wissenschaftliche Ergebnisse in dieser Übersicht nur kurz zusammenfasst.

Minimalprinzip & Maximalprinzip

Minimalprinzip & Maximalprinzip

Ökonomisches Prinzip: Die 3 Grundprinzipien

Ökonomisches Prinzip | Die 3 Grundprinzipien einfach erklärt

Peer Review in 7 Schritten schreiben

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Daniela Feinhals

Abstract schreiben

Du musst ein Abstract schreiben, weißt aber nicht, wo du anfangen sollst? Alles Wichtige dazu erfährst du in diesem Beitrag und in unserem Video.

Was ist ein Abstract?

Abstract schreiben — format, abstract — aufbau, wie schreibt man einen abstract, was ist im abstract wichtig, abstract schreiben — häufigste fragen, exposé schreiben.

Ein Abstract ist ein kurzer Text, der die wichtigsten Punkte und Erkenntnisse deiner wissenschaftlichen Arbeit zusammenfasst. Er befindet sich am Anfang deiner Arbeit noch vor der Einleitung. So können Lesende mithilfe des Abstracts schnell den Inhalt und die Relevanz deiner Arbeit erkennen und einschätzen.

Dabei werden besonders folgende Fragen beantwortet:

  • Worum geht es in der wissenschaftlichen Arbeit?
  • Welche Methodik wurde angewendet?
  • Was sind die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse?
  • Welche Schlussfolgerungen werden gezogen?

In der Regel ist ein Abstract zwischen 150 und 250 Wörtern lang.   Ziel ist es, mit dem kurzen Text das Interesse der Leserschaft zu wecken und zum Weiterlesen anzuregen. 

Die vorliegende Abschlussarbeit untersucht, ob Frauen und Männer in Shakespeares Theaterstücken in den stereotypischen Geschlechterrollen dargestellt werden. Um die Forschungsfrage zu beantworten, wurden die Hauptfiguren aus den Werken „A Midsummer Night’s Dream“ und „Macbeth“ miteinander verglichen. Als theoretischer Hintergrund wurden die Theorien von […] herangezogen. Die Analyse zeigt, dass […]. Anhand der vorliegenden Ergebnisse wird Shakespeares progressive Sichtweise auf das Konzept von Gender erkennbar.

Wenn du ein Abstract schreibst, gibt es bestimmte Vorgaben bezüglich Format, Länge und Position. 

Der Abstract ist üblicherweise nicht länger als eine halbe DIN A4 Seite . Die Länge kann aber auch variieren. Dabei kommt es auch darauf an, ob du eine Abschlussarbeit schreibst oder ein wissenschaftliches Paper für eine Fachzeitschrift. Professionelle Zeitschriften haben sehr genaue Vorgabe mit wenig Spielraum. Einige Prüfer der Universität akzeptieren aber auch längere Abstracts. Prüfe deshalb unbedingt deine Vorgaben!

Hinterfrage auch die Zielgruppe des Abstracts und deiner wissenschaftlichen Arbeit. Wichtig ist, dass der Abstract vollständig , präzise ,   objektiv und verständlich formuliert ist. Am besten sollte auch ein Laie, der kein Expertenwissen über dein Thema hat, den Abstract gut verstehen können.

Der Abstract gibt den Lesenden quasi einen Schnelldurchlauf deiner wissenschaftlichen Arbeit. Deshalb formulierst du auch zu den wichtigen Kapitel 1-2 Sätze in deinem Abstract, um einen Überblick über die Kerninhalte zu schaffen.

Jetzt weißt du schon mal, was alles in einen Abstract gehört. Aber wie fängst du jetzt mit dem Schreiben an? Dazu kannst du folgendermaßen vorgehen:

  • Zeitpunkt Am besten schreibst du den Abstract zum Schluss deiner Bachelorarbeit oder Masterarbeit . So kannst du die wichtigsten Inhalte aus der Theorie, Methodik und Interpretation deiner Forschung einfacher zusammenfassen.  
  • Rohentwurf Arbeite schrittweise die verschiedenen Punkte des Abstracts ab. Schreibe zu jedem Inhaltspunkt mehrere Sätze und stelle sicher, dass du alle wichtigen Informationen mitnimmst. Schon hast du den ersten Entwurf deines Abstracts!  
  • Kürzen Jetzt kürzt du den Text auf die erforderte Länge. Achte dabei darauf, nicht wahllos wichtige Informationen zu streichen. Versuche stattdessen Informationen geschickt miteinander zu verknüpfen. Vermeide außerdem lange, verschachtelte Sätze und Wiederholungen. Schaue dir am besten Abstracts von deinen Literaturquellen oder anderen Abschlussarbeiten an, um dir Inspiration zu holen!

Idealerweise stehen im Abstract deiner Bachelorarbeit oder Masterarbeit nur die relevantesten Informationen, sodass jeder Satz wichtig ist.

Um sicherzugehen, dass das auch in deinem Abstract der Fall ist, kannst du den Text am Ende nochmal probelesen . Vielleicht erklärt sich auch ein Freund bereit, deinen Abstract korrekturzulesen . Dabei ist es wichtig, dass ein Abstract folgende Punkte erfüllt:

✓  Klare Struktur: Thema, Methodik, Ergebnisse, Interpretation ✓  Präzise, objektive und verständliche Sprache ✓   Maximal eine halbe Seite lang (ca. 200 – 250 Wörter) ✗  Keine Abkürzungen ✗  Keine kopierten Sätze aus der fertigen Arbeit ✗  Keine Informationen, die nicht in der fertigen Arbeit stehen

  • Was ist ein Abstract? Ein Abstract ist ein kurzer, zusammenfassender Text am Anfang einer wissenschaftlichen Arbeit. Ziel ist es alle wichtigen Kerninhalte der vollständigen Arbeit bezüglich Thema, Methodik, Ergebnisse sowie Interpretation kurz und vollständig wiederzugeben.   
  • In welcher Zeitform steht ein Abstract? Ein Abstract ist hauptsächlich im Präsens geschrieben. Das liegt daran, dass die wichtigsten Erkenntnisse deiner Abschlussarbeit als Tatsachen gesehen werden. Vergangene Forschungsergebnisse werden im Perfekt oder im Präteritum formuliert.   
  • Wie lange muss ein Abstract sein? Ein Abstract einer wissenschaftlichen Arbeit (Bachelorarbeit, Masterarbeit, Artikel für Fachzeitschriften) ist in der Regel 150-250 Wörter lang. Es entspricht etwa einer halben DIN A4 Seite. Je nach Vorgaben der Institution kann der Umfang variieren.

Wie du einen Abstract schreiben kannst, weißt du jetzt. Bevor du jedoch deine Abschlussarbeit beginnst, sollst du meist deine Ideen und Vorstellungen in einem   Exposé zusammenfassen. Wie du eins verfasst, erfährst du hier!

Zum Video: Exposé Bachelorarbeit

Beliebte Inhalte aus dem Bereich Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten

  • Exzerpt Dauer: 04:46
  • Danksagung Bachelorarbeit Dauer: 02:32
  • Bachelorarbeit Seitenzahl Dauer: 05:17

Weitere Inhalte: Wissenschaftliches Arbeiten

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Abstract Beispiel für eine Bachelorarbeit oder Masterarbeit

Veröffentlicht am 6. April 2017 von Lea Genau . Aktualisiert am 17. Januar 2022.

Der Abstract ist eine kurze und aussagekräftige Darstellung deiner Forschung.

Der Abstract fasst für die Lesenden deine Bachelorarbeit bzw. Masterarbeit so zusammen, dass sie einen klaren Überblick darüber erhalten, was du untersucht und was du herausgefunden hast.

  • Einen Abstract kannst du im Präsens oder im Perfekt schreiben.
  • Verwende keine komplizierten Begriffe – auch Fachfremde sollten den kurzen Text verstehen können.
  • Der Abstract sollte dabei nicht länger als eine A4-Seite sein.

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Erfahre mehr über den Inhalt und die Besonderheiten des Abstracts deiner Abschlussarbeit.

Abstract Bachelorarbeit | Abstract Masterarbeit

Unternehmen verfolgen zunehmend das Ziel, Marketingkampagnen zur Vermarktung ihrer Produkte einzusetzen. Um online einen wachsenden Umsatz zu generieren, greifen sie insbesondere auf Social-Media-Kanäle zurück. Daher ist es notwendig zu verstehen, wie solche Marketingkampagnen konzipiert sind und wie sie funktionieren.

Das Ziel in der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es zu beantworten, durch welche Kriterien eine Marketingkampagne in Social Media erfolgreich verläuft. Dazu wird die folgende Forschungsfrage gestellt: Wie kann eine erfolgreiche Marketingkampagne für Onlinefotodruckunternehmen auf Social Media geplant werden?[/scribbr-annotation]

Um die Forschungsfrage zu beantworten, wurde eine quantitative Studie zu aktuellen Druckgeschäftsanzeigen und deren Wirkung durchgeführt. Spezifisch wurde in der Studie auf Anzeigen aus den Social-Media-Kanälen Twitter, Facebook und Instagram Bezug genommen. Es wurde untersucht, welche Kriterien bei einer Anzeige erfüllt sein müssen, damit diese bei den Nutzern erfolgreich ist. In der quantitativen Studie waren den Teilnehmenden geschlossene Fragen auf einer Skala von 1 bis 10 gestellt worden, die im Anschluss ausgewertet wurden. Dabei wurden drei Altersklassen berücksichtigt: 15–29-Jährige, 30–45-Jährige und alle Teilnehmenden ab 45 Jahren wurden in je eine Gruppe unterteilt.

Die Antworten auf die Fragebogen zeigen, dass die Altersgruppe von 30–45 Jahren und jene darüber im Durchschnitt am häufigsten auf die Anzeigen von Onlinefotodruckunternehmen reagieren. Diese Anzeigen sind in erster Linie auf Twitter und Facebook erfolgreich, weil diese Plattformen von Personen in dieser Altersklasse am häufigsten genutzt werden. Jüngere Menschen hingegen, die vorwiegend Instagram verwenden, reagieren seltener auf die Anzeigen von Online-Fotodruckunternehmen. Eine Social-Media-Kampagne bietet sich für Online-Fotodruckunternehmen also insbesondere auf Twitter und Facebook mit der Fokussierung auf die Altersgruppe ab 30 Jahren an.

Weiterführende Forschung im Bereich des Marketings für den Onlinefotodruck könnte auf Anzeigenwerbung von Suchmaschinen ausgerichtet sein.

Das gehört in den Abstract

Dein Abstract sollte die folgenden Elemente enthalten:

  • die Relevanz deines Themas
  • deine Forschungsfrage
  • ggf. von dir aufgestellte Hypothesen
  • die Methodik
  • deine zentralen Forschungsergebnisse
  • Formulierungen im Präsens oder Perfekt
  • keine Zitate
  • keine Abkürzungen
  • keine subjektive Meinungsäußerungen

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Der Abstract ist ein Text, in dem deine Abschlussarbeit kurz zusammengefasst wird. Er sollte maximal eine Seite lang sein.

Du gehst im Abstract nicht nur auf das Thema deiner Arbeit ein, sondern auch auf die Forschungsfrage, deine Methode und die zentralen Ergebnisse. So bekommen Lesende einen Eindruck davon, was sie in deiner Arbeit erwartet.

Beim Schreiben deines Abstracts solltest du darauf achten, eine kompakte Zusammenfassung deiner Bachelorarbeit zu liefern. Dies gelingt am besten, wenn du den Abstract ganz am Schluss verfasst.

In deinem Abstract solltest du folgende Fragen beantworten:

  • Worum geht es?
  • Wie wurde vorgegangen?
  • Was sind die wichtigsten Ergebnisse?
  • Was bedeuten deine Ergebnisse?

Der Abstract sollte maximal eine Seite bzw. 150–250 Wörter lang sein.

Der Abstract steht in einer Bachelorarbeit meist zwischen dem Deckblatt und dem Inhaltsverzeichnis. Wenn deine Arbeit ein Vorwort enthält, steht es nach dem Abstract.

Je nach Vorgabe der jeweiligen Hochschule kann der Abstract aber auch manchmal hinter dem Inhaltsverzeichnis platziert werden.

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Genau, L. (2022, 17. Januar). Abstract Beispiel für eine Bachelorarbeit oder Masterarbeit. Scribbr. Abgerufen am 14. Mai 2024, von https://www.scribbr.de/aufbau-und-gliederung/abstract-beispiel/

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How to Write an Abstract (With Examples)

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Sarah Oakley

how to write an abstract

Table of Contents

What is an abstract in a paper, how long should an abstract be, 5 steps for writing an abstract, examples of an abstract, how prowritingaid can help you write an abstract.

If you are writing a scientific research paper or a book proposal, you need to know how to write an abstract, which summarizes the contents of the paper or book.

When researchers are looking for peer-reviewed papers to use in their studies, the first place they will check is the abstract to see if it applies to their work. Therefore, your abstract is one of the most important parts of your entire paper.

In this article, we’ll explain what an abstract is, what it should include, and how to write one.

An abstract is a concise summary of the details within a report. Some abstracts give more details than others, but the main things you’ll be talking about are why you conducted the research, what you did, and what the results show.

When a reader is deciding whether to read your paper completely, they will first look at the abstract. You need to be concise in your abstract and give the reader the most important information so they can determine if they want to read the whole paper.

Remember that an abstract is the last thing you’ll want to write for the research paper because it directly references parts of the report. If you haven’t written the report, you won’t know what to include in your abstract.

If you are writing a paper for a journal or an assignment, the publication or academic institution might have specific formatting rules for how long your abstract should be. However, if they don’t, most abstracts are between 150 and 300 words long.

A short word count means your writing has to be precise and without filler words or phrases. Once you’ve written a first draft, you can always use an editing tool, such as ProWritingAid, to identify areas where you can reduce words and increase readability.

If your abstract is over the word limit, and you’ve edited it but still can’t figure out how to reduce it further, your abstract might include some things that aren’t needed. Here’s a list of three elements you can remove from your abstract:

Discussion : You don’t need to go into detail about the findings of your research because your reader will find your discussion within the paper.

Definition of terms : Your readers are interested the field you are writing about, so they are likely to understand the terms you are using. If not, they can always look them up. Your readers do not expect you to give a definition of terms in your abstract.

References and citations : You can mention there have been studies that support or have inspired your research, but you do not need to give details as the reader will find them in your bibliography.

essay abstract beispiel

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ProWritingAid will help you improve the style, strength, and clarity of all your assignments.

If you’ve never written an abstract before, and you’re wondering how to write an abstract, we’ve got some steps for you to follow. It’s best to start with planning your abstract, so we’ve outlined the details you need to include in your plan before you write.

Remember to consider your audience when you’re planning and writing your abstract. They are likely to skim read your abstract, so you want to be sure your abstract delivers all the information they’re expecting to see at key points.

1. What Should an Abstract Include?

Abstracts have a lot of information to cover in a short number of words, so it’s important to know what to include. There are three elements that need to be present in your abstract:

Your context is the background for where your research sits within your field of study. You should briefly mention any previous scientific papers or experiments that have led to your hypothesis and how research develops in those studies.

Your hypothesis is your prediction of what your study will show. As you are writing your abstract after you have conducted your research, you should still include your hypothesis in your abstract because it shows the motivation for your paper.

Throughout your abstract, you also need to include keywords and phrases that will help researchers to find your article in the databases they’re searching. Make sure the keywords are specific to your field of study and the subject you’re reporting on, otherwise your article might not reach the relevant audience.

2. Can You Use First Person in an Abstract?

You might think that first person is too informal for a research paper, but it’s not. Historically, writers of academic reports avoided writing in first person to uphold the formality standards of the time. However, first person is more accepted in research papers in modern times.

If you’re still unsure whether to write in first person for your abstract, refer to any style guide rules imposed by the journal you’re writing for or your teachers if you are writing an assignment.

3. Abstract Structure

Some scientific journals have strict rules on how to structure an abstract, so it’s best to check those first. If you don’t have any style rules to follow, try using the IMRaD structure, which stands for Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion.

how to structure an abstract

Following the IMRaD structure, start with an introduction. The amount of background information you should include depends on your specific research area. Adding a broad overview gives you less room to include other details. Remember to include your hypothesis in this section.

The next part of your abstract should cover your methodology. Try to include the following details if they apply to your study:

What type of research was conducted?

How were the test subjects sampled?

What were the sample sizes?

What was done to each group?

How long was the experiment?

How was data recorded and interpreted?

Following the methodology, include a sentence or two about the results, which is where your reader will determine if your research supports or contradicts their own investigations.

The results are also where most people will want to find out what your outcomes were, even if they are just mildly interested in your research area. You should be specific about all the details but as concise as possible.

The last few sentences are your conclusion. It needs to explain how your findings affect the context and whether your hypothesis was correct. Include the primary take-home message, additional findings of importance, and perspective. Also explain whether there is scope for further research into the subject of your report.

Your conclusion should be honest and give the reader the ultimate message that your research shows. Readers trust the conclusion, so make sure you’re not fabricating the results of your research. Some readers won’t read your entire paper, but this section will tell them if it’s worth them referencing it in their own study.

4. How to Start an Abstract

The first line of your abstract should give your reader the context of your report by providing background information. You can use this sentence to imply the motivation for your research.

You don’t need to use a hook phrase or device in your first sentence to grab the reader’s attention. Your reader will look to establish relevance quickly, so readability and clarity are more important than trying to persuade the reader to read on.

5. How to Format an Abstract

Most abstracts use the same formatting rules, which help the reader identify the abstract so they know where to look for it.

Here’s a list of formatting guidelines for writing an abstract:

Stick to one paragraph

Use block formatting with no indentation at the beginning

Put your abstract straight after the title and acknowledgements pages

Use present or past tense, not future tense

There are two primary types of abstract you could write for your paper—descriptive and informative.

An informative abstract is the most common, and they follow the structure mentioned previously. They are longer than descriptive abstracts because they cover more details.

Descriptive abstracts differ from informative abstracts, as they don’t include as much discussion or detail. The word count for a descriptive abstract is between 50 and 150 words.

Here is an example of an informative abstract:

A growing trend exists for authors to employ a more informal writing style that uses “we” in academic writing to acknowledge one’s stance and engagement. However, few studies have compared the ways in which the first-person pronoun “we” is used in the abstracts and conclusions of empirical papers. To address this lacuna in the literature, this study conducted a systematic corpus analysis of the use of “we” in the abstracts and conclusions of 400 articles collected from eight leading electrical and electronic (EE) engineering journals. The abstracts and conclusions were extracted to form two subcorpora, and an integrated framework was applied to analyze and seek to explain how we-clusters and we-collocations were employed. Results revealed whether authors’ use of first-person pronouns partially depends on a journal policy. The trend of using “we” showed that a yearly increase occurred in the frequency of “we” in EE journal papers, as well as the existence of three “we-use” types in the article conclusions and abstracts: exclusive, inclusive, and ambiguous. Other possible “we-use” alternatives such as “I” and other personal pronouns were used very rarely—if at all—in either section. These findings also suggest that the present tense was used more in article abstracts, but the present perfect tense was the most preferred tense in article conclusions. Both research and pedagogical implications are proffered and critically discussed.

Wang, S., Tseng, W.-T., & Johanson, R. (2021). To We or Not to We: Corpus-Based Research on First-Person Pronoun Use in Abstracts and Conclusions. SAGE Open, 11(2).

Here is an example of a descriptive abstract:

From the 1850s to the present, considerable criminological attention has focused on the development of theoretically-significant systems for classifying crime. This article reviews and attempts to evaluate a number of these efforts, and we conclude that further work on this basic task is needed. The latter part of the article explicates a conceptual foundation for a crime pattern classification system, and offers a preliminary taxonomy of crime.

Farr, K. A., & Gibbons, D. C. (1990). Observations on the Development of Crime Categories. International Journal of Offender Therapy and Comparative Criminology, 34(3), 223–237.

If you want to ensure your abstract is grammatically correct and easy to read, you can use ProWritingAid to edit it. The software integrates with Microsoft Word, Google Docs, and most web browsers, so you can make the most of it wherever you’re writing your paper.

academic document type

Before you edit with ProWritingAid, make sure the suggestions you are seeing are relevant for your document by changing the document type to “Abstract” within the Academic writing style section.

You can use the Readability report to check your abstract for places to improve the clarity of your writing. Some suggestions might show you where to remove words, which is great if you’re over your word count.

We hope the five steps and examples we’ve provided help you write a great abstract for your research paper.

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Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper

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.

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.

“The growing economic resemblance of spouses has contributed to rising inequality by increasing the number of couples in which there are two high- or two low-earning partners. [Annotation for the previous sentence: The first sentence introduces the topic under study (the “economic resemblance of spouses”). This sentence also implies the question underlying this research study: what are the various causes—and the interrelationships among them—for this trend?] The dominant explanation for this trend is increased assortative mating. Previous research has primarily relied on cross-sectional data and thus has been unable to disentangle changes in assortative mating from changes in the division of spouses’ paid labor—a potentially key mechanism given the dramatic rise in wives’ labor supply. [Annotation for the previous two sentences: These next two sentences explain what previous research has demonstrated. By pointing out the limitations in the methods that were used in previous studies, they also provide a rationale for new research.] We use data from the Panel Study of Income Dynamics (PSID) to decompose the increase in the correlation between spouses’ earnings and its contribution to inequality between 1970 and 2013 into parts due to (a) changes in assortative mating, and (b) changes in the division of paid labor. [Annotation for the previous sentence: The data, research and analytical methods used in this new study.] Contrary to what has often been assumed, the rise of economic homogamy and its contribution to inequality is largely attributable to changes in the division of paid labor rather than changes in sorting on earnings or earnings potential. Our findings indicate that the rise of economic homogamy cannot be explained by hypotheses centered on meeting and matching opportunities, and they show where in this process inequality is generated and where it is not.” (p. 985) [Annotation for the previous two sentences: The major findings from and implications and significance of this study.]

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.

“From the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s, a network of young urban migrant men created an underground pulp fiction publishing industry in the city of Dar es Salaam. [Annotation for the previous sentence: The first sentence introduces the context for this research and announces the topic under study.] As texts that were produced in the underground economy of a city whose trajectory was increasingly charted outside of formalized planning and investment, these novellas reveal more than their narrative content alone. These texts were active components in the urban social worlds of the young men who produced them. They reveal a mode of urbanism otherwise obscured by narratives of decolonization, in which urban belonging was constituted less by national citizenship than by the construction of social networks, economic connections, and the crafting of reputations. This article argues that pulp fiction novellas of socialist era Dar es Salaam are artifacts of emergent forms of male sociability and mobility. In printing fictional stories about urban life on pilfered paper and ink, and distributing their texts through informal channels, these writers not only described urban communities, reputations, and networks, but also actually created them.” (p. 210) [Annotation for the previous sentences: The remaining sentences in this abstract interweave other essential information for an abstract for this article. The implied research questions: What do these texts mean? What is their historical and cultural significance, produced at this time, in this location, by these authors? The argument and the significance of this analysis in microcosm: these texts “reveal a mode or urbanism otherwise obscured . . .”; and “This article argues that pulp fiction novellas. . . .” This section also implies what previous historical research has obscured. And through the details in its argumentative claims, this section of the abstract implies the kinds of methods the author has used to interpret the novellas and the concepts under study (e.g., male sociability and mobility, urban communities, reputations, network. . . ).]

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.

“Several studies have reported reprogramming of fibroblasts into induced cardiomyocytes; however, reprogramming into proliferative induced cardiac progenitor cells (iCPCs) remains to be accomplished. [Annotation for the previous sentence: The first sentence announces the topic under study, summarizes what’s already known or been accomplished in previous research, and signals the rationale and goals are for the new research and the problem that the new research solves: How can researchers reprogram fibroblasts into iCPCs?] Here we report that a combination of 11 or 5 cardiac factors along with canonical Wnt and JAK/STAT signaling reprogrammed adult mouse cardiac, lung, and tail tip fibroblasts into iCPCs. The iCPCs were cardiac mesoderm-restricted progenitors that could be expanded extensively while maintaining multipo-tency to differentiate into cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells in vitro. Moreover, iCPCs injected into the cardiac crescent of mouse embryos differentiated into cardiomyocytes. iCPCs transplanted into the post-myocardial infarction mouse heart improved survival and differentiated into cardiomyocytes, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. [Annotation for the previous four sentences: The methods the researchers developed to achieve their goal and a description of the results.] Lineage reprogramming of adult somatic cells into iCPCs provides a scalable cell source for drug discovery, disease modeling, and cardiac regenerative therapy.” (p. 354) [Annotation for the previous sentence: The significance or implications—for drug discovery, disease modeling, and therapy—of this reprogramming of adult somatic cells into iCPCs.]

Sample Abstract 4, a Structured Abstract

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.

“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:

essay abstract beispiel

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  • How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples

How to Write an Abstract | Steps & Examples

Published on 1 March 2019 by Shona McCombes . Revised on 10 October 2022 by Eoghan Ryan.

An abstract is a short summary of a longer work (such as a dissertation or research paper ). The abstract concisely reports the aims and outcomes of your research, so that readers know exactly what your paper is about.

Although the structure may vary slightly depending on your discipline, your abstract should describe the purpose of your work, the methods you’ve used, and the conclusions you’ve drawn.

One common way to structure your abstract is to use the IMRaD structure. This stands for:

  • Introduction

Abstracts are usually around 100–300 words, but there’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check the relevant requirements.

In a dissertation or thesis , include the abstract on a separate page, after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .

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Table of contents

Abstract example, when to write an abstract, step 1: introduction, step 2: methods, step 3: results, step 4: discussion, tips for writing an abstract, frequently asked questions about abstracts.

Hover over the different parts of the abstract to see how it is constructed.

This paper examines the role of silent movies as a mode of shared experience in the UK during the early twentieth century. At this time, high immigration rates resulted in a significant percentage of non-English-speaking citizens. These immigrants faced numerous economic and social obstacles, including exclusion from public entertainment and modes of discourse (newspapers, theater, radio).

Incorporating evidence from reviews, personal correspondence, and diaries, this study demonstrates that silent films were an affordable and inclusive source of entertainment. It argues for the accessible economic and representational nature of early cinema. These concerns are particularly evident in the low price of admission and in the democratic nature of the actors’ exaggerated gestures, which allowed the plots and action to be easily grasped by a diverse audience despite language barriers.

Keywords: silent movies, immigration, public discourse, entertainment, early cinema, language barriers.

Prevent plagiarism, run a free check.

You will almost always have to include an abstract when:

  • Completing a thesis or dissertation
  • Submitting a research paper to an academic journal
  • Writing a book proposal
  • Applying for research grants

It’s easiest to write your abstract last, because it’s a summary of the work you’ve already done. Your abstract should:

  • Be a self-contained text, not an excerpt from your paper
  • Be fully understandable on its own
  • Reflect the structure of your larger work

Start by clearly defining the purpose of your research. What practical or theoretical problem does the research respond to, or what research question did you aim to answer?

You can include some brief context on the social or academic relevance of your topic, but don’t go into detailed background information. If your abstract uses specialised terms that would be unfamiliar to the average academic reader or that have various different meanings, give a concise definition.

After identifying the problem, state the objective of your research. Use verbs like “investigate,” “test,” “analyse,” or “evaluate” to describe exactly what you set out to do.

This part of the abstract can be written in the present or past simple tense  but should never refer to the future, as the research is already complete.

  • This study will investigate the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.
  • This study investigates the relationship between coffee consumption and productivity.

Next, indicate the research methods that you used to answer your question. This part should be a straightforward description of what you did in one or two sentences. It is usually written in the past simple tense, as it refers to completed actions.

  • Structured interviews will be conducted with 25 participants.
  • Structured interviews were conducted with 25 participants.

Don’t evaluate validity or obstacles here — the goal is not to give an account of the methodology’s strengths and weaknesses, but to give the reader a quick insight into the overall approach and procedures you used.

Next, summarise the main research results . This part of the abstract can be in the present or past simple tense.

  • Our analysis has shown a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
  • Our analysis shows a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.
  • Our analysis showed a strong correlation between coffee consumption and productivity.

Depending on how long and complex your research is, you may not be able to include all results here. Try to highlight only the most important findings that will allow the reader to understand your conclusions.

Finally, you should discuss the main conclusions of your research : what is your answer to the problem or question? The reader should finish with a clear understanding of the central point that your research has proved or argued. Conclusions are usually written in the present simple tense.

  • We concluded that coffee consumption increases productivity.
  • We conclude that coffee consumption increases productivity.

If there are important limitations to your research (for example, related to your sample size or methods), you should mention them briefly in the abstract. This allows the reader to accurately assess the credibility and generalisability of your research.

If your aim was to solve a practical problem, your discussion might include recommendations for implementation. If relevant, you can briefly make suggestions for further research.

If your paper will be published, you might have to add a list of keywords at the end of the abstract. These keywords should reference the most important elements of the research to help potential readers find your paper during their own literature searches.

Be aware that some publication manuals, such as APA Style , have specific formatting requirements for these keywords.

It can be a real challenge to condense your whole work into just a couple of hundred words, but the abstract will be the first (and sometimes only) part that people read, so it’s important to get it right. These strategies can help you get started.

Read other abstracts

The best way to learn the conventions of writing an abstract in your discipline is to read other people’s. You probably already read lots of journal article abstracts while conducting your literature review —try using them as a framework for structure and style.

You can also find lots of dissertation abstract examples in thesis and dissertation databases .

Reverse outline

Not all abstracts will contain precisely the same elements. For longer works, you can write your abstract through a process of reverse outlining.

For each chapter or section, list keywords and draft one to two sentences that summarise the central point or argument. This will give you a framework of your abstract’s structure. Next, revise the sentences to make connections and show how the argument develops.

Write clearly and concisely

A good abstract is short but impactful, so make sure every word counts. Each sentence should clearly communicate one main point.

To keep your abstract or summary short and clear:

  • Avoid passive sentences: Passive constructions are often unnecessarily long. You can easily make them shorter and clearer by using the active voice.
  • Avoid long sentences: Substitute longer expressions for concise expressions or single words (e.g., “In order to” for “To”).
  • Avoid obscure jargon: The abstract should be understandable to readers who are not familiar with your topic.
  • Avoid repetition and filler words: Replace nouns with pronouns when possible and eliminate unnecessary words.
  • Avoid detailed descriptions: An abstract is not expected to provide detailed definitions, background information, or discussions of other scholars’ work. Instead, include this information in the body of your thesis or paper.

If you’re struggling to edit down to the required length, you can get help from expert editors with Scribbr’s professional proofreading services .

Check your formatting

If you are writing a thesis or dissertation or submitting to a journal, there are often specific formatting requirements for the abstract—make sure to check the guidelines and format your work correctly. For APA research papers you can follow the APA abstract format .

Checklist: Abstract

The word count is within the required length, or a maximum of one page.

The abstract appears after the title page and acknowledgements and before the table of contents .

I have clearly stated my research problem and objectives.

I have briefly described my methodology .

I have summarized the most important results .

I have stated my main conclusions .

I have mentioned any important limitations and recommendations.

The abstract can be understood by someone without prior knowledge of the topic.

You've written a great abstract! Use the other checklists to continue improving your thesis or dissertation.

An abstract is a concise summary of an academic text (such as a journal article or dissertation ). It serves two main purposes:

  • To help potential readers determine the relevance of your paper for their own research.
  • To communicate your key findings to those who don’t have time to read the whole paper.

Abstracts are often indexed along with keywords on academic databases, so they make your work more easily findable. Since the abstract is the first thing any reader sees, it’s important that it clearly and accurately summarises the contents of your paper.

An abstract for a thesis or dissertation is usually around 150–300 words. There’s often a strict word limit, so make sure to check your university’s requirements.

The abstract is the very last thing you write. You should only write it after your research is complete, so that you can accurately summarize the entirety of your thesis or paper.

Avoid citing sources in your abstract . There are two reasons for this:

  • The abstract should focus on your original research, not on the work of others.
  • The abstract should be self-contained and fully understandable without reference to other sources.

There are some circumstances where you might need to mention other sources in an abstract: for example, if your research responds directly to another study or focuses on the work of a single theorist. In general, though, don’t include citations unless absolutely necessary.

The abstract appears on its own page, after the title page and acknowledgements but before the table of contents .

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Abstract schreiben + Bachelorarbeit Beispiel als Vorlage

Veröffentlicht am 26. April 2018 von Franziska Pfeiffer . Aktualisiert am 24. Januar 2024.

Ein Abstract (auch Zusammenfassung oder Management-Summary genannt) ist ein Text, der kurz und knapp die wichtigsten Punkte deiner Bachelorarbeit wiedergibt.

Er soll die Fragestellung , Methoden , Quellen und Ergebnisse zusammenfassen, damit die Lesenden schnell die Relevanz der Bachelorarbeit für ihr Interessensgebiet beurteilen können.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Das gehört in deinen abstract, so schreibst du den abstract, unterschiede zwischen abstract, einleitung und fazit, abstract schreiben auf englisch, häufig gestellte fragen.

Der Abstract gibt einen kurzen Überblick über deine komplette Bachelorarbeit und sollte die folgenden Fragen beantworten:

  • Worum geht es?

Wie bist du vorgegangen?

Was sind deine wichtigsten ergebnisse.

  • Was bedeuten deine Ergebnisse?

Nenne die Zielsetzung , die Problemstellung und die Forschungsfragen . Wenn deiner Abschlussarbeit bestimmte Hypothesen zugrunde liegen , erwähne diese auch.

Du umreißt kurz die Methoden , mit denen du die Daten für deine Bachelorarbeit gesammelt hast.

Zähle die wichtigsten Ergebnisse deiner Forschung auf und erkläre, zu welchem Fazit du gekommen bist.

Nenne die relevantesten Eckpunkte aus der fachlichen Diskussion und lege deine Empfehlungen dar.

Abstract Beispiel

Unternehmen verfolgen zunehmend das Ziel, Marketingkampagnen zur Vermarktung ihrer Produkte einzusetzen. Um online einen wachsenden Umsatz zu generieren, greifen sie insbesondere auf Social-Media-Kanäle zurück. Daher ist es notwendig, zu verstehen, wie solche Marketingkampagnen konzipiert sind und wie sie funktionieren.

Das Ziel in der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es, zu klären, durch welche Kriterien eine Marketingkampagne in Social Media erfolgreich verläuft. Dazu wird die folgende Forschungsfrage gestellt: Wie kann eine erfolgreiche Marketingkampagne für Onlinefotodruckunternehmen in Social Media geplant werden?

Um die Forschungsfrage zu beantworten, wurde eine quantitative Studie zu aktuellen Druckgeschäftsanzeigen und deren Wirkung durchgeführt. Insbesondere wurde in der Studie auf Anzeigen aus den Social-Media-Kanälen Twitter, Facebook und Instagram Bezug genommen. Es wurde untersucht, welche Kriterien bei einer Anzeige erfüllt sein müssen, damit diese bei den Nutzenden erfolgreich ist. In der quantitativen Studie waren den Teilnehmenden geschlossene Fragen mit Antwortmöglichkeiten auf einer Skala von 1 bis 10 gestellt worden, die im Anschluss ausgewertet wurden. Dabei wurden die Teilnehmenden nach ihrem Alter in drei Gruppen unterteilt: 15–29-Jährige, 30–45-Jährige und über 45-Jährige.

Die Antworten auf die Fragen zeigen, dass die Altersgruppe der 30–45-Jährigen und die der über 45-Jährigen im Durchschnitt am häufigsten auf die Anzeigen von Onlinefotodruckunternehmen reagieren. Diese Anzeigen sind in erster Linie auf Twitter und Facebook erfolgreich, weil diese Plattformen von Personen dieser Altersklassen am häufigsten genutzt werden. Jüngere Menschen hingegen, die vorwiegend Instagram verwenden, reagieren seltener auf die Anzeigen von Onlinefotodruckunternehmen. Eine Social-Media-Kampagne bietet sich für Onlinefotodruckunternehmen also insbesondere auf Twitter und Facebook mit der Fokussierung auf die Altersgruppe ab 30 Jahren an.

Weiterführende Forschung im Bereich des Marketings für den Onlinefotodruck könnte auf Anzeigenwerbung von Suchmaschinen ausgerichtet sein.

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essay abstract beispiel

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Schreibe den Abstract am besten ganz am Schluss deiner Bachelorarbeit . So kannst du deine zentralen Thesen und Ergebnisse kompakt wiedergeben.

Beim Schreiben deines Abstracts solltest du dich an folgenden Regeln orientieren:

  • Nutze Hilfsmittel wie unser Tool zum Text zusammenfassen , um einen ersten Entwurf zu erstellen.
  • Beschränke dich auf eine Länge von max. einer halben bis einer Seite bzw. 150–250 Wörtern.
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  • Verfasse den Abstract in den richtigen Zeitformen .
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  • Verzichte auf jegliche subjektiven Bewertungen oder Rechtfertigungen.
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Tipps zum Kürzen deines Abstracts

Um sicherzustellen, dass dein Abstract die vorgeschriebene Maximallänge nicht überschreitet, sind ein paar Tricks hilfreich.

Kürze deinen Abstract, indem du …

  • … umständliche Schachtelsätze vermeidest.
  • … auf Wiederholungen verzichtest.
  • … Aktivsätze formulierst.

Mehr zum Abstract kürzen

Manchmal bekommst du beim Schreiben des Abstracts das Gefühl, lediglich die Einleitung oder das Fazit der Bachelorarbeit zu wiederholen.

Der Abstract baut auf Einleitung und Fazit auf, deshalb sind die drei sich ziemlich ähnlich. Wie sich der Abstract nichtsdestotrotz von deinem Fazit und deiner Einleitung unterscheidet, siehst du hier:

Unterschiede zwischen Abstract, Einleitung und Fazit:

Um deine Abschlussarbeit auch international zugänglich zu machen, fordern Unis häufig zusätzlich einen englischen Abstract. Hierzu kannst du deinen deutschen Abstract übersetzen.

  • Problemstellung
  • Forschungsfrage / Hypothesen
  • Forschungsmethode

Nichtsdestotrotz gibt es einige sprachliche Aspekte, in denen sich das akademische Schreiben auf Englisch vom Deutschen unterscheidet. Hier findest du einen kleinen Überblick zu den Unterschieden  und dazu, was du beim englischen Sprachgebrauch beachten musst.

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Checkliste: Abstract schreiben

Der Abstract ist maximal eine Seite lang.

Der Abstract steht zu Beginn deiner Bachelorarbeit bzw. Masterarbeit.

Der Abstract ist überwiegend im Präsens verfasst, vergangene Ereignisse werden im Perfekt oder Präteritum beschrieben.

Die wichtigsten Elemente deiner Bachelorarbeit werden zusammengefasst.

Der Abstract macht auch für Lesende ohne Vorkenntnisse deutlich, wovon die Bachelorarbeit handelt.

Das Abstract deiner Abschlussarbeit ist nun komplett! Nutze noch die anderen Checklisten, um deine Abschlussarbeit zu verbessern.

Der Abstract ist ein Text, in dem deine Abschlussarbeit kurz zusammengefasst wird. Er sollte maximal eine Seite lang sein.

Du gehst im Abstract nicht nur auf das Thema deiner Arbeit ein, sondern auch auf die Forschungsfrage, deine Methode und die zentralen Ergebnisse. So bekommen Lesende einen Eindruck davon, was sie in deiner Arbeit erwartet.

Beim Schreiben deines Abstracts solltest du darauf achten, eine kompakte Zusammenfassung deiner Bachelorarbeit zu liefern. Dies gelingt am besten, wenn du den Abstract ganz am Schluss verfasst.

In deinem Abstract solltest du folgende Fragen beantworten:

  • Wie wurde vorgegangen?
  • Was sind die wichtigsten Ergebnisse?

Der Abstract sollte maximal eine Seite bzw. 150–250 Wörter lang sein.

Der Abstract steht in einer Bachelorarbeit meist zwischen dem Deckblatt und dem Inhaltsverzeichnis. Wenn deine Arbeit ein Vorwort enthält, steht es nach dem Abstract.

Je nach Vorgabe der jeweiligen Hochschule kann der Abstract aber auch manchmal hinter dem Inhaltsverzeichnis platziert werden.

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Das hat anderen studenten noch gefallen, bachelorarbeit beispiele – bwl, psychologie und mehr, eine hervorragende einleitung für eine bachelorarbeit schreiben, das fazit einer bachelorarbeit schreiben.

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How to write an abstract

essay abstract beispiel

What is an abstract?

General format of an abstract, the content of an abstract, abstract example, abstract style guides, frequently asked questions about writing an abstract, related articles.

An abstract is a summary of the main contents of a paper.

The abstract is the first glimpse that readers get of the content of a research paper. It can influence the popularity of a paper, as a well-written one will attract readers, and a poorly-written one will drive them away.

➡️ Different types of papers may require distinct abstract styles. Visit our guide on the different types of research papers to learn more.

Tip: Always wait until you’ve written your entire paper before you write the abstract.

Before you actually start writing an abstract, make sure to follow these steps:

  • Read other papers : find papers with similar topics, or similar methodologies, simply to have an idea of how others have written their abstracts. Notice which points they decided to include, and how in depth they described them.
  • Double check the journal requirements : always make sure to review the journal guidelines to format your paper accordingly. Usually, they also specify abstract's formats.
  • Write the abstract after you finish writing the paper : you can only write an abstract once you finish writing the whole paper. This way you can include all important aspects, such as scope, methodology, and conclusion.

➡️ Read more about  what is a research methodology?

The general format of an abstract includes the following features:

  • Between 150-300 words .
  • An independent page , after the title page and before the table of contents.
  • Concise summary including the aim of the research, methodology , and conclusion .
  • Keywords describing the content.

As mentioned before, an abstract is a text that summarizes the main points of a research. Here is a break down of each element that should be included in an abstract:

  • Purpose : every abstract should start by describing the main purpose or aim of the research.
  • Methods : as a second point, the methodology carried out should be explained.
  • Results : then, a concise summary of the results should be included.
  • Conclusion : finally, a short outline of the general outcome of the research should be given.
  • Keywords : along with the abstract, specific words and phrases related to the topics discussed in the research should be added. These words are usually around five, but the number can vary depending on the journal's guidelines.

This abstract, taken from ScienceDirect , illustrates the ideal structure of an abstract. It has 155 words, it's concise, and it clearly shows the division of elements necessary to write a successful abstract.

This paper explores the implicit assumption in the growing body of literature that social media usage is fundamentally different in business-to-business (B2B) companies than in the extant business-to-consumer (B2C) literature. Sashi's (2012) customer engagement cycle is utilized to compare organizational practices in relation to social media marketing in B2B, B2C, Mixed B2B/B2C and B2B2C business models. Utilizing 449 responses to an exploratory panel based survey instrument, we clearly identify differences in social media usage and its perceived importance as a communications channel. In particular we identify distinct differences in the relationship between social media importance and the perceived effectiveness of social media marketing across business models. Our results indicate that B2B social media usage is distinct from B2C, Mixed and B2B2C business model approaches. Specifically B2B organizational members perceive social media to have a lower overall effectiveness as a channel and identify it as less important for relationship oriented usage than other business models.

The exact format of an abstract depends on the citation style you implement. Whether it’s a well-known style (like APA, IEEE, etc.) or a journal's style, each format has its own guidelines, so make sure you know which style you are using before writing your abstract.

APA is one of the most commonly used styles to format an abstract. Therefore, we created a guide with exact instructions on how to write an abstract in APA style, and a template to download:

📕 APA abstract page: format and template

Additionally, you will find below an IEEE and ASA abstract guide by Purdue Online Writing Lab :

📗 IEEE General Format - Abstract

📘 ASA Manuscript Formatting - Abstract

No. You should always write an abstract once you finish writing the whole paper. This way you can include all important aspects of the paper, such as scope, methodology, and conclusion.

The length of an abstract depends on the formatting style of the paper. For example, APA style calls for 150 to 250 words. Generally, you need between 150-300 words.

No. An abstract has an independent section after the title page and before the table of contents, and should not be included in the table of contents.

Take a look at APA abstract page: format and template for exact details on how to format an abstract in APA style.

You can access any paper through Google Scholar or any other search engine; pick a paper and read the abstract. Abstracts are always freely available to read.

How to give a good scientific presentation

How to Write an Abstract APA Format

Saul Mcleod, PhD

Editor-in-Chief for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MRes, PhD, University of Manchester

Saul Mcleod, PhD., is a qualified psychology teacher with over 18 years of experience in further and higher education. He has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Clinical Psychology.

Learn about our Editorial Process

Olivia Guy-Evans, MSc

Associate Editor for Simply Psychology

BSc (Hons) Psychology, MSc Psychology of Education

Olivia Guy-Evans is a writer and associate editor for Simply Psychology. She has previously worked in healthcare and educational sectors.

An APA abstract is a brief, comprehensive summary of the contents of an article, research paper, dissertation, or report.

It is written in accordance with the guidelines of the American Psychological Association (APA), which is a widely used format in social and behavioral sciences. 

An APA abstract summarizes, usually in one paragraph of between 150–250 words, the major aspects of a research paper or dissertation in a prescribed sequence that includes:
  • The rationale: the overall purpose of the study, providing a clear context for the research undertaken.
  • Information regarding the method and participants: including materials/instruments, design, procedure, and data analysis.
  • Main findings or trends: effectively highlighting the key outcomes of the hypotheses.
  • Interpretations and conclusion(s): solidify the implications of the research.
  • Keywords related to the study: assist the paper’s discoverability in academic databases.

The abstract should stand alone, be “self-contained,” and make sense to the reader in isolation from the main article.

The purpose of the abstract is to give the reader a quick overview of the essential information before reading the entire article. The abstract is placed on its own page, directly after the title page and before the main body of the paper.

Although the abstract will appear as the very first part of your paper, it’s good practice to write your abstract after you’ve drafted your full paper, so that you know what you’re summarizing.

Note : This page reflects the latest version of the APA Publication Manual (i.e., APA 7), released in October 2019.

Structure of the Abstract

[NOTE: DO NOT separate the components of the abstract – it should be written as a single paragraph. This section is separated to illustrate the abstract’s structure.]

1) The Rationale

One or two sentences describing the overall purpose of the study and the research problem(s) you investigated. You are basically justifying why this study was conducted.

  • What is the importance of the research?
  • Why would a reader be interested in the larger work?
  • For example, are you filling a gap in previous research or applying new methods to take a fresh look at existing ideas or data?
  • Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer can experience an array of psychosocial difficulties; however, social support, particularly from a spouse, has been shown to have a protective function during this time. This study examined the ways in which a woman’s daily mood, pain, and fatigue, and her spouse’s marital satisfaction predict the woman’s report of partner support in the context of breast cancer.
  • The current nursing shortage, high hospital nurse job dissatisfaction, and reports of uneven quality of hospital care are not uniquely American phenomena.
  • Students with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are more likely to exhibit behavioral difficulties than their typically developing peers. The aim of this study was to identify specific risk factors that influence variability in behavior difficulties among individuals with SEND.

2) The Method

Information regarding the participants (number, and population). One or two sentences outlining the method, explaining what was done and how. The method is described in the present tense.

  • Pretest data from a larger intervention study and multilevel modeling were used to examine the effects of women’s daily mood, pain, and fatigue and average levels of mood, pain, and fatigue on women’s report of social support received from her partner, as well as how the effects of mood interacted with partners’ marital satisfaction.
  • This paper presents reports from 43,000 nurses from more than 700 hospitals in the United States, Canada, England, Scotland, and Germany in 1998–1999.
  • The study sample comprised 4,228 students with SEND, aged 5–15, drawn from 305 primary and secondary schools across England. Explanatory variables were measured at the individual and school levels at baseline, along with a teacher-reported measure of behavior difficulties (assessed at baseline and the 18-month follow-up).

3) The Results

One or two sentences indicating the main findings or trends found as a result of your analysis. The results are described in the present or past tense.

  • Results show that on days in which women reported higher levels of negative or positive mood, as well as on days they reported more pain and fatigue, they reported receiving more support. Women who, on average, reported higher levels of positive mood tended to report receiving more support than those who, on average, reported lower positive mood. However, average levels of negative mood were not associated with support. Higher average levels of fatigue but not pain were associated with higher support. Finally, women whose husbands reported higher levels of marital satisfaction reported receiving more partner support, but husbands’ marital satisfaction did not moderate the effect of women’s mood on support.
  • Nurses in countries with distinctly different healthcare systems report similar shortcomings in their work environments and the quality of hospital care. While the competence of and relation between nurses and physicians appear satisfactory, core problems in work design and workforce management threaten the provision of care.
  • Hierarchical linear modeling of data revealed that differences between schools accounted for between 13% (secondary) and 15.4% (primary) of the total variance in the development of students’ behavior difficulties, with the remainder attributable to individual differences. Statistically significant risk markers for these problems across both phases of education were being male, eligibility for free school meals, being identified as a bully, and lower academic achievement. Additional risk markers specific to each phase of education at the individual and school levels are also acknowledged.

4) The Conclusion / Implications

A brief summary of your conclusions and implications of the results, described in the present tense. Explain the results and why the study is important to the reader.

  • For example, what changes should be implemented as a result of the findings of the work?
  • How does this work add to the body of knowledge on the topic?

Implications of these findings are discussed relative to assisting couples during this difficult time in their lives.

  • Resolving these issues, which are amenable to managerial intervention, is essential to preserving patient safety and care of consistently high quality.
  • Behavior difficulties are affected by risks across multiple ecological levels. Addressing any one of these potential influences is therefore likely to contribute to the reduction in the problems displayed.

The above examples of abstracts are from the following papers:

Aiken, L. H., Clarke, S. P., Sloane, D. M., Sochalski, J. A., Busse, R., Clarke, H., … & Shamian, J. (2001). Nurses’ reports on hospital care in five countries . Health affairs, 20(3) , 43-53.

Boeding, S. E., Pukay-Martin, N. D., Baucom, D. H., Porter, L. S., Kirby, J. S., Gremore, T. M., & Keefe, F. J. (2014). Couples and breast cancer: Women’s mood and partners’ marital satisfaction predicting support perception . Journal of Family Psychology, 28(5) , 675.

Oldfield, J., Humphrey, N., & Hebron, J. (2017). Risk factors in the development of behavior difficulties among students with special educational needs and disabilities: A multilevel analysis . British journal of educational psychology, 87(2) , 146-169.

5) Keywords

APA style suggests including a list of keywords at the end of the abstract. This is particularly common in academic articles and helps other researchers find your work in databases.

Keywords in an abstract should be selected to help other researchers find your work when searching an online database. These keywords should effectively represent the main topics of your study. Here are some tips for choosing keywords:

Core Concepts: Identify the most important ideas or concepts in your paper. These often include your main research topic, the methods you’ve used, or the theories you’re discussing.

Specificity: Your keywords should be specific to your research. For example, suppose your paper is about the effects of climate change on bird migration patterns in a specific region. In that case, your keywords might include “climate change,” “bird migration,” and the region’s name.

Consistency with Paper: Make sure your keywords are consistent with the terms you’ve used in your paper. For example, if you use the term “adolescent” rather than “teen” in your paper, choose “adolescent” as your keyword, not “teen.”

Jargon and Acronyms: Avoid using too much-specialized jargon or acronyms in your keywords, as these might not be understood or used by all researchers in your field.

Synonyms: Consider including synonyms of your keywords to capture as many relevant searches as possible. For example, if your paper discusses “post-traumatic stress disorder,” you might include “PTSD” as a keyword.

Remember, keywords are a tool for others to find your work, so think about what terms other researchers might use when searching for papers on your topic.

The Abstract SHOULD NOT contain:

Lengthy background or contextual information: The abstract should focus on your research and findings, not general topic background.

Undefined jargon, abbreviations,  or acronyms: The abstract should be accessible to a wide audience, so avoid highly specialized terms without defining them.

Citations: Abstracts typically do not include citations, as they summarize original research.

Incomplete sentences or bulleted lists: The abstract should be a single, coherent paragraph written in complete sentences.

New information not covered in the paper: The abstract should only summarize the paper’s content.

Subjective comments or value judgments: Stick to objective descriptions of your research.

Excessive details on methods or procedures: Keep descriptions of methods brief and focused on main steps.

Speculative or inconclusive statements: The abstract should state the research’s clear findings, not hypotheses or possible interpretations.

  • Any illustration, figure, table, or references to them . All visual aids, data, or extensive details should be included in the main body of your paper, not in the abstract. 
  • Elliptical or incomplete sentences should be avoided in an abstract . The use of ellipses (…), which could indicate incomplete thoughts or omitted text, is not appropriate in an abstract.

APA Style for Abstracts

An APA abstract must be formatted as follows:

Include the running head aligned to the left at the top of the page (professional papers only) and page number. Note, student papers do not require a running head. On the first line, center the heading “Abstract” and bold (do not underlined or italicize). Do not indent the single abstract paragraph (which begins one line below the section title). Double-space the text. Use Times New Roman font in 12 pt. Set one-inch (or 2.54 cm) margins. If you include a “keywords” section at the end of the abstract, indent the first line and italicize the word “Keywords” while leaving the keywords themselves without any formatting.

Example APA Abstract Page

Download this example as a PDF

APA Style Abstract Example

Further Information

  • APA 7th Edition Abstract and Keywords Guide
  • Example APA Abstract
  • How to Write a Good Abstract for a Scientific Paper or Conference Presentation
  • How to Write a Lab Report
  • Writing an APA paper

How long should an APA abstract be?

An APA abstract should typically be between 150 to 250 words long. However, the exact length may vary depending on specific publication or assignment guidelines. It is crucial that it succinctly summarizes the essential elements of the work, including purpose, methods, findings, and conclusions.

Where does the abstract go in an APA paper?

In an APA formatted paper, the abstract is placed on its own page, directly after the title page and before the main body of the paper. It’s typically the second page of the document. It starts with the word “Abstract” (centered and not in bold) at the top of the page, followed by the text of the abstract itself.

What are the 4 C’s of abstract writing?

The 4 C’s of abstract writing are an approach to help you create a well-structured and informative abstract. They are:

Conciseness: An abstract should briefly summarize the key points of your study. Stick to the word limit (typically between 150-250 words for an APA abstract) and avoid unnecessary details.

Clarity: Your abstract should be easy to understand. Avoid jargon and complex sentences. Clearly explain the purpose, methods, results, and conclusions of your study.

Completeness: Even though it’s brief, the abstract should provide a complete overview of your study, including the purpose, methods, key findings, and your interpretation of the results.

Cohesion: The abstract should flow logically from one point to the next, maintaining a coherent narrative about your study. It’s not just a list of disjointed elements; it’s a brief story of your research from start to finish.

What is the abstract of a psychology paper?

An abstract in a psychology paper serves as a snapshot of the paper, allowing readers to quickly understand the purpose, methodology, results, and implications of the research without reading the entire paper. It is generally between 150-250 words long.

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How to Write an Abstract

An abstract of a work, usually of an essay, is a concise summary of its main points. It is meant to concentrate the argument of a work, presenting it as clearly as possible.

The abstract often appears after the title and before the main body of an essay. If you are writing an abstract as part of an assignment, you should check with your instructor about where to place it.

Here are a few guidelines to follow when composing an abstract:

  • In general, avoid too much copying and pasting directly from your essay, especially from the first paragraph. An abstract is often presented directly before an essay, and it will often be the first thing readers consult after your title. You wouldn’t repeat your ideas verbatim in the body of your essay, so why would you do that in an abstract? Consider the abstract part of the work itself. 
  • Start off strong. An abstract should be a mini essay, so it should begin with a clear statement of your argument. This should be the first sentence or two.
  • Abstracts vary in length. But a good rule is to aim for five to seven sentences. The bulk of the abstract will review the evidence for your claim and summarize your findings.
  • Avoid complicated syntax. Long sentences and intricate phrasing have their place in essays, but the abstract should be concise. It is not the place for ambitious grammar.
  • The last sentence or two should point to any conclusions reached and the direction future research might take. Like the first sentence, the last should be provocative and direct. Leave your readers wanting to read your essay.

In what follows, the authors have written an effective abstract that adheres to the basic principles above:

Literary critics have long imagined that T. S. Eliot’s The Sacred Wood (1920) shaped the canon and methods of countless twentieth-century classrooms. This essay turns instead to the classroom that made The Sacred Wood : the Modern English Literature extension school tutorial that Eliot taught to working-class adults between 1916 and 1919. Contextualizing Eliot’s tutorial within the extension school movement shows how the ethos and practices of the Workers’ Educational Association shaped his teaching. Over the course of three years, Eliot and his students reimagined canonical literature as writing by working poets for working people—a model of literary history that fully informed his canon reformation in The Sacred Wood . This example demonstrates how attention to teaching changes the history of English literary study. It further reveals how all kinds of institutions, not just elite universities, have shaped the discipline’s methods and canons. (Buurma and Heffernan)

This abstract uses the first two sentences to establish the essay’s place in its field of study and to suggest how it intervenes in existing scholarship. The syntax is direct and simple. The third sentence begins to outline how the authors will support their argument. They aim to demonstrate the relevance of Eliot’s teaching to his ideas about literature, and so they move next to discuss some of the details of that teaching. Finally, the abstract concludes by telling us about the consequences of this argument. The conclusion both points to new directions for research and tells us why we should read the essay. 

Buurma, Rachel Sagner, and Laura Heffernan. Abstract of “The Classroom in the Canon: T. S. Eliot’s Modern English Literature Extension Course for Working People and  The Sacred Wood. ”  PMLA , vol. 133, no. 2, Mar. 2018, p. 463.

Estate Best 18 July 2021 AT 05:07 AM

Please how will I write an abstract for my own poem collections?

Your e-mail address will not be published

Marc Simoes 01 April 2022 AT 04:04 PM

I am teaching students how to format and write an abstract, but I find no precise guidelines in the MLA Handbook. Should the first word of the abstract body text begin with the word "Abstract" followed by a period or colon and then the abstract content? Should the word "Abstract" be underlined? Over the years, I was taught both of these ways by different instructors, but I haven't found any definitive instructions, and now my students are asking me the correct format. Please help! Thank you!

Joseph Wallace 12 April 2022 AT 01:04 PM

Although publishers like the MLA will use their own house style guidelines for abstracts in published material, there is no one correct way for students to format their abstracts. Instructors should decide what works best for their classes and assignments.

Lorraine Belo 17 April 2022 AT 10:04 PM

Can you write a brief abstract about your MLA writing

Subrata Biswas 13 July 2023 AT 10:07 AM

Generally, the abstract is written in Italics. Is there any rule as such?

Joseph Wallace 31 July 2023 AT 10:07 AM

Thanks for your question. There is no rule saying that abstracts need to be written in italics. Some publications use italics for abstracts and some do not.

Dhan 07 January 2024 AT 12:01 PM

Should I write key words at the end of the abstract of Phd dissertation?

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How To Write an Abstract for Any Subject and Publication (With Examples)

How To Write an Abstract for Any Subject and Publication (With Examples)

Table of contents

essay abstract beispiel

Christian Rigg

An abstract is a short summary of a longer work, such as a study or research paper. The goal is to provide readers with an overview of the purpose, methodology, results, conclusion, and importance of this text.

As a writing coach and part-time academic editor and translator, I’ve read hundreds of abstracts and helped authors draft and refine dozens more. I’ve found that, when writing an abstract, the greatest difficulty lies in balancing brevity, detail, and accessibility.

Fortunately, there’s a simple formula you can use to write a solid abstract for publication, regardless of the subject. What’s more, you can leverage AI to help you write a clear, concise abstract — without losing your voice or sounding unprofessional.

Below you’ll find step-by-step instructions, best practices, examples, and a helpful checklist. 

Key Takeaways

  • An abstract offers a succinct overview of the aims, results, and importance of your research.
  • Check submission guidelines, write clearly and concisely, and use language to “guide” readers through your abstract. 
  • The IMRaD (Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion) approach is simple and effective. 
  • More and more authors are using AI to do the heavy lifting. With the right prompts, AI can save you time and create a cohesive abstract.

Writing an abstract: First steps and best practices

Keep the following in mind as you write your abstract:

  • If you’re submitting to a publication , check for specific guidelines regarding overall length, format, keywords, and the presence or absence of section headings (e.g. “Purpose”). Follow these guidelines exactly.
  • Write concisely and clearly . If you struggle to write concisely, consider using an AI-writing assistant like Wordtune . Simply select text to receive suggestions on how to write a sentence or paragraph more concisely without losing any value.
  • Make your abstract self-contained . Don’t refer to passages in your article or research. If you must include terms that your audience may not be familiar with, such as highly technical jargon or concepts borrowed from another field, offer a brief definition.
  • Use connecting phrases like “for this reason,” “as a result,” and “this led us” to “guide” the reader through your abstract and help them see the connections between your research goal, methodology, results, and conclusions. ‍
  • Read abstracts on similar studies . This gives you a good benchmark and can help you get started. If you’re submitting your abstract to a particular publication, it also gives you a good idea of the type of language and structure they prefer.

Wordtune offers suggestions to make your text clear and concise.

Get Wordtune for free > Get Wordtune for free >

How to write an abstract: The IMRaD Structure

IMRaD stands for Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion (or Conclusion). 

It’s the most common way to structure a research paper and a very simple way to approach your abstract. In some cases, authors even include these section headings in their abstracts. 

Step One: Introduction

Length : About 25% of your abstract

Purpose : Provide context for your research and describe your research objectives. 

Start by introducing your topic. There are two main parts to this:

  • Your research question stated simply and straightforwardly (what missing knowledge does your study aim to answer?). You can use words like “investigate,” “review,” “test,” “analyze,” “study,” and “evaluate” to make it clear how your work relates to the context.
  • A brief overview of the academic, historical, social, or scientific context. This helps the reader understand the importance and relevance of your work. In many cases, starting with context before your research question makes more sense, so feel free to write in that order. 

Regarding context, consider the following: 

essay abstract beispiel

For example:

Psychologists and neuroscientists have long studied the role of sleep in the formation of new memories. Previous research into how sleep affects memory has often struggled because it’s difficult to measure the quality, stages, and overall impact of sleep accurately. As a result, there’s ongoing debate in the scientific community , and recent research suggests sleep may not be as important as researchers once thought. In this study, we review the evidence and offer a novel conclusion : the same mechanisms thought to mediate sleep-related memory formation also operate during waking hours, particularly quiet wakefulness.  In this example, several contextual cues are offered: it’s a long-standing topic in the literature; previous research is limited due to a specific issue , and there is active scientific debate . The section closes with the research aims: to review the evidence and offer a new conclusion. 

Step Two: Methodology

Purpose : Clearly describe what you did and highlight novelty. 

In this section, provide a clear description of your research methodology. While it’s important to be concise, make sure you’re not being vague. Mention specific frameworks and tools. 

‍ To explore the impact of social media on political engagement, we conducted a study with 200 participants, divided into two groups. The first was exposed to curated political content on social media, while the control group received a neutral feed. Our mixed-method approach combined quantitative engagement metrics analysis and qualitative interviews to assess changes in political participation.

There’s no need to provide an in-depth justification of your approach, although if it’s a novel one, it’s worth highlighting this and explaining what makes it appropriate. For example, " We chose this approach because it offers a clearer image of the structure of proteins involved in the transfer of electrons during cellular respiration ."

Finally, you can omit methodological limitations; we’ll cover these later. 

Step Three: Results

Length : About 35% of your abstract

Purpose : Provide a clear, specific account of your results. 

This section is arguably the most important (and interesting) part of your abstract.

Explain the results of your analysis in a specific and detailed fashion. This isn’t the time to be vague or bury the lead. For example:

“Our survey indicates a marked shift in sedimentary rock composition. In three locations, we observed significant erosion, and mineralogical analysis revealed a high concentration of quartz. Further analysis suggests two major events in the past 200 years, correlating with disturbances in the region.”
"Our survey of the Redstone Canyon region identified a marked shift in sedimentary rock composition from predominantly sandstone to shale, particularly evident in the lower strata. Quantitative analysis showed a 40% increase in shale content compared to previous surveys. In three distinct locations, we observed significant erosion, with up to two meters of topsoil displacement, primarily due to water runoff. Mineralogical analysis revealed an unexpectedly high concentration of quartz (up to 22%) in these eroded areas. Additionally, our seismic retrogression analysis suggests two major seismic events in the past 200 years, correlating with the observed stratification disturbances."

Incidentally, you don’t need to include all of your findings here, only those that will help the reader to understand the next section: your discussion and conclusion (i.e., what the results mean). This will help you keep the results section concise and relevant. 

Step Four: Discussion/Conclusion

Length : About 15%

Purpose : Present what new knowledge you’ve found and why it matters.

Bearing in mind your research question, give a clear account of your conclusions. What new knowledge has been gained? 

The simplest way to do this is in the present tense: “We conclude that…”

You should also briefly explain why this matters. What are the implications of your findings? Be specific and avoid making claims that aren’t directly supported by your research. 

If there are any important limitations (such as population or control group size), you can mention them now. This helps readers assess the credibility and generalizability of your findings. 

You can use these samples for inspiration.

They are divided into introduction , methodology , results , and conclusion.

The rising urbanization rate poses challenges to mental health, an issue garnering increasing attention in recent years. This study aims to analyze the impact of urban green spaces on the mental health of city dwellers. The focus is on how access to parks and natural environments within urban settings contributes to psychological well-being . For this purpose, we employed a cross-sectional survey methodology, targeting residents in three major cities with varying levels of green space availability. We used a combination of GIS mapping to determine green space distribution and structured questionnaires to assess mental health indicators among 1,000 participants . Our results show a clear correlation between access to green spaces and improved mental health outcomes. Residents with frequent access to parks reported 30% lower stress levels and a 25% reduction in symptoms related to anxiety and depression, compared to those with limited access. Additionally, our analysis revealed that green spaces in dense urban areas had a more significant impact than those in less populated districts . We conclude that urban green spaces play a crucial role in enhancing mental health. This underscores the importance of urban planning policies that prioritize green space development as a public health strategy. These findings have significant implications for city planning and public health policy, advocating for the integration of green spaces in urban development to foster mental well-being .

The phenomenon of antibiotic resistance is a growing concern in medical science. This study investigates the effectiveness of novel synthetic peptides as potential antibiotics against multi-drug resistant bacteria. The research specifically examines the impact of these peptides on the cellular integrity and replication processes of resistant bacterial strains . Our methodology involved in vitro testing of three newly synthesized peptides against a panel of bacteria known for high resistance to conventional antibiotics. The bacterial strains included methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and vancomycin-resistant Enterococci (VRE). We used a combination of microbiological assays and electron microscopy to evaluate the antibacterial activity and the cellular changes induced by the peptides . The results were promising, showing that two of the three peptides effectively inhibited the growth of MRSA and VRE at low concentrations. Electron microscopy revealed significant disruption of bacterial cell walls and membranes, leading to cell lysis. These peptides also demonstrated low toxicity in preliminary mammalian cell culture tests, suggesting a high therapeutic index . Our study provides promising evidence for the use of synthetic peptides in combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria. These findings open new avenues for developing effective treatments against infections caused by drug-resistant pathogens and highlight the potential of peptide-based therapies in future pharmaceutical applications .

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) in education is a rapidly evolving area of study. This research explores the effectiveness of AI-driven personalized learning systems in enhancing student performance in high school mathematics. The study focuses on understanding how AI customization impacts learning outcomes compared to traditional teaching methods . We conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 500 high school students from five schools, divided into two groups. The experimental group used an AI-based learning platform that adapted to each student's learning pace and style, while the control group continued with standard classroom instruction. The study measured improvements in mathematical understanding and problem-solving skills over a six-month period . The results indicated a significant improvement in the AI group, with a 40% increase in test scores and a 35% rise in problem-solving abilities compared to the control group. Additionally, students using the AI system reported higher levels of engagement and satisfaction with the learning process . In conclusion, the use of AI-driven personalized learning systems shows considerable promise in enhancing educational outcomes in mathematics. This study suggests that AI personalization can be a valuable tool in modern educational strategies, potentially revolutionizing how subjects are taught and learned in schools .

What is the main objective of an abstract?

The goal of an abstract is to provide readers with a concise overview of the purpose, methodology, results, conclusion, and importance of a longer work, such as a research paper or study. 

How long should an abstract be?

Depending on the publication, an abstract should be anywhere from 150 to 250 words. 

What should an abstract include?

An abstract should include an introduction (context + research question), the methodology, the results, and a conclusion (what you found and why it matters).

IMRaD is a simple formula you can follow to write a great abstract for any topic and publication type. Simply follow the instructions above to write each section: Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion/Conclusion.

Be careful to balance detail with brevity, as abstracts are meant to be a short overview of your study. If you struggle with writing concisely and clearly, consider using a writing aid like Wordtune to handle some of the heavy lifting. 

Want to learn more key writing tips? Check out these articles:

  • How to Write Concisely and Effectively (+Examples)
  • Transition Word Examples and How to Use Them Effectively
  • How to Write a Research Paper (+Free AI Research Paper Writer)

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Writing an Abstract for a Research Paper: Guidelines, Examples, and Templates

There are six steps to writing a standard abstract. (1) Begin with a broad statement about your topic. Then, (2) state the problem or knowledge gap related to this topic that your study explores. After that, (3) describe what specific aspect of this problem you investigated, and (4) briefly explain how you went about doing this. After that, (5) describe the most meaningful outcome(s) of your study. Finally, (6) close your abstract by explaining the broad implication(s) of your findings.

In this article, I present step-by-step guidelines for writing an abstract for an academic paper. These guidelines are fo llowed by an example of a full abstract that follows these guidelines and a few fill-in-the-blank templates that you can use to write your own abstract.

Guidelines for Writing an Abstract

The basic structure of an abstract is illustrated below.

essay abstract beispiel

A standard abstract starts with a very general statement and becomes more specific with each sentence that follows until once again making a broad statement about the study’s implications at the end. Altogether, a standard abstract has six functions, which are described in detail below.

Start by making a broad statement about your topic.

The first sentence of your abstract should briefly describe a problem that is of interest to your readers. When writing this first sentence, you should think about who comprises your target audience and use terms that will appeal to this audience. If your opening sentence is too broad, it might lose the attention of potential readers because they will not know if your study is relevant to them.

Too broad : Maintaining an ideal workplace environment has a positive effect on employees.

The sentence above is so broad that it will not grab the reader’s attention. While it gives the reader some idea of the area of study, it doesn’t provide any details about the author’s topic within their research area. This can be fixed by inserting some keywords related to the topic (these are underlined in the revised example below).

Improved : Keeping the workplace environment at an ideal temperature positively affects the overall health of employees.

The revised sentence is much better, as it expresses two points about the research topic—namely, (i) what aspect of workplace environment was studied, (ii) what aspect of employees was observed. The mention of these aspects of the research will draw the attention of readers who are interested in them.

Describe the general problem that your paper addresses.

After describing your topic in the first sentence, you can then explain what aspect of this topic has motivated your research. Often, authors use this part of the abstract to describe the research gap that they identified and aimed to fill. These types of sentences are often characterized by the use of words such as “however,” “although,” “despite,” and so on.

However, a comprehensive understanding of how different workplace bullying experiences are associated with absenteeism is currently lacking.

The above example is typical of a sentence describing the problem that a study intends to tackle. The author has noticed that there is a gap in the research, and they briefly explain this gap here.

Although it has been established that quantity and quality of sleep can affect different types of task performance and personal health, the interactions between sleep habits and workplace behaviors have received very little attention.

The example above illustrates a case in which the author has accomplished two tasks with one sentence. The first part of the sentence (up until the comma) mentions the general topic that the research fits into, while the second part (after the comma) describes the general problem that the research addresses.

Express the specific problem investigated in your paper.

After describing the general problem that motivated your research, the next sentence should express the specific aspect of the problem that you investigated. Sentences of this type are often indicated by the use of phrases like “the purpose of this research is to,” “this paper is intended to,” or “this work aims to.”

Uninformative : However, a comprehensive understanding of how different workplace bullying experiences are associated with absenteeism is currently lacking. The present article aimed to provide new insights into the relationship between workplace bullying and absenteeism .

The second sentence in the above example is a mere rewording of the first sentence. As such, it adds nothing to the abstract. The second sentence should be more specific than the preceding one.

Improved : However, a comprehensive understanding of how different workplace bullying experiences are associated with absenteeism is currently lacking. The present article aimed to define various subtypes of workplace bullying and determine which subtypes tend to lead to absenteeism .

The second sentence of this passage is much more informative than in the previous example. This sentence lets the reader know exactly what they can expect from the full research article.

Explain how you attempted to resolve your study’s specific problem.

In this part of your abstract, you should attempt to describe your study’s methodology in one or two sentences. As such, you must be sure to include only the most important information about your method. At the same time, you must also be careful not to be too vague.

Too vague : We conducted multiple tests to examine changes in various factors related to well-being.

This description of the methodology is too vague. Instead of merely mentioning “tests” and “factors,” the author should note which specific tests were run and which factors were assessed.

Improved : Using data from BHIP completers, we conducted multiple one-way multivariate analyses of variance and follow-up univariate t-tests to examine changes in physical and mental health, stress, energy levels, social satisfaction, self-efficacy, and quality of life.

This sentence is very well-written. It packs a lot of specific information about the method into a single sentence. Also, it does not describe more details than are needed for an abstract.

Briefly tell the reader what you found by carrying out your study.

This is the most important part of the abstract—the other sentences in the abstract are there to explain why this one is relevant. When writing this sentence, imagine that someone has asked you, “What did you find in your research?” and that you need to answer them in one or two sentences.

Too vague : Consistently poor sleepers had more health risks and medical conditions than consistently optimal sleepers.

This sentence is okay, but it would be helpful to let the reader know which health risks and medical conditions were related to poor sleeping habits.

Improved : Consistently poor sleepers were more likely than consistently optimal sleepers to suffer from chronic abdominal pain, and they were at a higher risk for diabetes and heart disease.

This sentence is better, as the specific health conditions are named.

Finally, describe the major implication(s) of your study.

Most abstracts end with a short sentence that explains the main takeaway(s) that you want your audience to gain from reading your paper. Often, this sentence is addressed to people in power (e.g., employers, policymakers), and it recommends a course of action that such people should take based on the results.

Too broad : Employers may wish to make use of strategies that increase employee health.

This sentence is too broad to be useful. It does not give employers a starting point to implement a change.

Improved : Employers may wish to incorporate sleep education initiatives as part of their overall health and wellness strategies.

This sentence is better than the original, as it provides employers with a starting point—specifically, it invites employers to look up information on sleep education programs.

Abstract Example

The abstract produced here is from a paper published in Electronic Commerce Research and Applications . I have made slight alterations to the abstract so that this example fits the guidelines given in this article.

(1) Gamification can strengthen enjoyment and productivity in the workplace. (2) Despite this, research on gamification in the work context is still limited. (3) In this study, we investigated the effect of gamification on the workplace enjoyment and productivity of employees by comparing employees with leadership responsibilities to those without leadership responsibilities. (4) Work-related tasks were gamified using the habit-tracking game Habitica, and data from 114 employees were gathered using an online survey. (5) The results illustrated that employees without leadership responsibilities used work gamification as a trigger for self-motivation, whereas employees with leadership responsibilities used it to improve their health. (6) Work gamification positively affected work enjoyment for both types of employees and positively affected productivity for employees with leadership responsibilities. (7) Our results underline the importance of taking work-related variables into account when researching work gamification.

In Sentence (1), the author makes a broad statement about their topic. Notice how the nouns used (“gamification,” “enjoyment,” “productivity”) are quite general while still indicating the focus of the paper. The author uses Sentence (2) to very briefly state the problem that the research will address.

In Sentence (3), the author explains what specific aspects of the problem mentioned in Sentence (2) will be explored in the present work. Notice that the mention of leadership responsibilities makes Sentence (3) more specific than Sentence (2). Sentence (4) gets even more specific, naming the specific tools used to gather data and the number of participants.

Sentences (5) and (6) are similar, with each sentence describing one of the study’s main findings. Then, suddenly, the scope of the abstract becomes quite broad again in Sentence (7), which mentions “work-related variables” instead of a specific variable and “researching” instead of a specific kind of research.

Abstract Templates

Copy and paste any of the paragraphs below into a word processor. Then insert the appropriate information to produce an abstract for your research paper.

Template #1

Researchers have established that [Make a broad statement about your area of research.] . However, [Describe the knowledge gap that your paper addresses.] . The goal of this paper is to [Describe the purpose of your paper.] . The achieve this goal, we [Briefly explain your methodology.] . We found that [Indicate the main finding(s) of your study; you may need two sentences to do this.] . [Provide a broad implication of your results.] .

Template #2

It is well-understood that [Make a broad statement about your area of research.] . Despite this, [Describe the knowledge gap that your paper addresses.] . The current research aims to [Describe the purpose of your paper.] . To accomplish this, we [Briefly explain your methodology.] . It was discovered that [Indicate the main finding(s) of your study; you may need two sentences to do this.] . [Provide a broad implication of your results.] .

Template #3

Extensive research indicates that [Make a broad statement about your area of research.] . Nevertheless, [Describe the knowledge gap that your paper addresses.] . The present work is intended to [Describe the purpose of your paper.] . To this end, we [Briefly explain your methodology.] . The results revealed that [Indicate the main finding(s) of your study; you may need two sentences to do this.] . [Provide a broad implication of your results.] .

  • How to Write an Abstract

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Writing an abstract - a six point checklist (with samples)

Posted in: abstract , dissertations

essay abstract beispiel

The abstract is a vital part of any research paper. It is the shop front for your work, and the first stop for your reader. It should provide a clear and succinct summary of your study, and encourage your readers to read more. An effective abstract, therefore should answer the following questions:

  • Why did you do this study or project?
  • What did you do and how?
  • What did you find?
  • What do your findings mean?

So here's our run down of the key elements of a well-written abstract.

  • Size - A succinct and well written abstract should be between approximately 100- 250 words.
  • Background - An effective abstract usually includes some scene-setting information which might include what is already known about the subject, related to the paper in question (a few short sentences).
  • Purpose  - The abstract should also set out the purpose of your research, in other words, what is not known about the subject and hence what the study intended to examine (or what the paper seeks to present).
  • Methods - The methods section should contain enough information to enable the reader to understand what was done, and how. It should include brief details of the research design, sample size, duration of study, and so on.
  • Results - The results section is the most important part of the abstract. This is because readers who skim an abstract do so to learn about the findings of the study. The results section should therefore contain as much detail about the findings as the journal word count permits.
  • Conclusion - This section should contain the most important take-home message of the study, expressed in a few precisely worded sentences. Usually, the finding highlighted here relates to the primary outcomes of the study. However, other important or unexpected findings should also be mentioned. It is also customary, but not essential, to express an opinion about the theoretical or practical implications of the findings, or the importance of their findings for the field. Thus, the conclusions may contain three elements:
  • The primary take-home message.
  • Any additional findings of importance.
  • Implications for future studies.

abstract 1

Example Abstract 2: Engineering Development and validation of a three-dimensional finite element model of the pelvic bone.

bone

Abstract from: Dalstra, M., Huiskes, R. and Van Erning, L., 1995. Development and validation of a three-dimensional finite element model of the pelvic bone. Journal of biomechanical engineering, 117(3), pp.272-278.

And finally...  A word on abstract types and styles

Abstract types can differ according to subject discipline. You need to determine therefore which type of abstract you should include with your paper. Here are two of the most common types with examples.

Informative Abstract

The majority of abstracts are informative. While they still do not critique or evaluate a work, they do more than describe it. A good informative abstract acts as a surrogate for the work itself. That is, the researcher presents and explains all the main arguments and the important results and evidence in the paper. An informative abstract includes the information that can be found in a descriptive abstract [purpose, methods, scope] but it also includes the results and conclusions of the research and the recommendations of the author. The length varies according to discipline, but an informative abstract is usually no more than 300 words in length.

Descriptive Abstract A descriptive abstract indicates the type of information found in the work. It makes no judgements about the work, nor does it provide results or conclusions of the research. It does incorporate key words found in the text and may include the purpose, methods, and scope of the research. Essentially, the descriptive abstract only describes the work being summarised. Some researchers consider it an outline of the work, rather than a summary. Descriptive abstracts are usually very short, 100 words or less.

Adapted from Andrade C. How to write a good abstract for a scientific paper or conference presentation. Indian J Psychiatry. 2011 Apr;53(2):172-5. doi: 10.4103/0019-5545.82558. PMID: 21772657; PMCID: PMC3136027 .

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Abstract Beispiel für eine Bachelorarbeit oder Masterarbeit

Veröffentlicht am 6. April 2017 von Lea Genau . Aktualisiert am 30. Jänner 2023.

Der Abstract ist eine kurze und aussagekräftige Darstellung deiner Forschung.

Der Abstract fasst für die Lesenden deine Bachelorarbeit bzw. Masterarbeit so zusammen, dass sie einen klaren Überblick darüber erhalten, was du untersucht und was du herausgefunden hast.

  • Einen Abstract kannst du im Präsens oder im Perfekt schreiben.
  • Verwende keine komplizierten Begriffe – auch Fachfremde sollten den kurzen Text verstehen können.
  • Der Abstract sollte dabei nicht länger als eine A4-Seite sein.

Erfahre mehr über den Inhalt und die Besonderheiten des Abstracts deiner Abschlussarbeit.

Abstract Bachelorarbeit | Abstract Masterarbeit

Unternehmen verfolgen zunehmend das Ziel, Marketingkampagnen zur Vermarktung ihrer Produkte einzusetzen. Um online einen wachsenden Umsatz zu generieren, greifen sie insbesondere auf Social-Media-Kanäle zurück. Daher ist es notwendig zu verstehen, wie solche Marketingkampagnen konzipiert sind und wie sie funktionieren.

Das Ziel in der vorliegenden Arbeit ist es zu beantworten, durch welche Kriterien eine Marketingkampagne in Social Media erfolgreich verläuft. Dazu wird die folgende Forschungsfrage gestellt: Wie kann eine erfolgreiche Marketingkampagne für Onlinefotodruckunternehmen auf Social Media geplant werden?[/scribbr-annotation]

Um die Forschungsfrage zu beantworten, wurde eine quantitative Studie zu aktuellen Druckgeschäftsanzeigen und deren Wirkung durchgeführt. Spezifisch wurde in der Studie auf Anzeigen aus den Social-Media-Kanälen Twitter, Facebook und Instagram Bezug genommen. Es wurde untersucht, welche Kriterien bei einer Anzeige erfüllt sein müssen, damit diese bei den Nutzern erfolgreich ist. In der quantitativen Studie waren den Teilnehmenden geschlossene Fragen auf einer Skala von 1 bis 10 gestellt worden, die im Anschluss ausgewertet wurden. Dabei wurden drei Altersklassen berücksichtigt: 15–29-Jährige, 30–45-Jährige und alle Teilnehmenden ab 45 Jahren wurden in je eine Gruppe unterteilt.

Die Antworten auf die Fragebogen zeigen, dass die Altersgruppe von 30–45 Jahren und jene darüber im Durchschnitt am häufigsten auf die Anzeigen von Onlinefotodruckunternehmen reagieren. Diese Anzeigen sind in erster Linie auf Twitter und Facebook erfolgreich, weil diese Plattformen von Personen in dieser Altersklasse am häufigsten genutzt werden. Jüngere Menschen hingegen, die vorwiegend Instagram verwenden, reagieren seltener auf die Anzeigen von Online-Fotodruckunternehmen. Eine Social-Media-Kampagne bietet sich für Online-Fotodruckunternehmen also insbesondere auf Twitter und Facebook mit der Fokussierung auf die Altersgruppe ab 30 Jahren an.

Weiterführende Forschung im Bereich des Marketings für den Onlinefotodruck könnte auf Anzeigenwerbung von Suchmaschinen ausgerichtet sein.

Das gehört in den Abstract

Dein Abstract sollte die folgenden Elemente enthalten:

  • die Relevanz deines Themas
  • deine Forschungsfrage
  • ggf. von dir aufgestellte Hypothesen
  • die Methodik
  • deine zentralen Forschungsergebnisse
  • Formulierungen im Präsens oder Perfekt
  • keine Zitate
  • keine Abkürzungen
  • keine subjektive Meinungsäußerungen

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Der Abstract ist ein Text, in dem deine Abschlussarbeit kurz zusammengefasst wird. Er sollte maximal eine Seite lang sein.

Du gehst im Abstract nicht nur auf das Thema deiner Arbeit ein, sondern auch auf die Forschungsfrage, deine Methode und die zentralen Ergebnisse. So bekommen Lesende einen Eindruck davon, was sie in deiner Arbeit erwartet.

Beim Schreiben deines Abstracts solltest du darauf achten, eine kompakte Zusammenfassung deiner Bachelorarbeit zu liefern. Dies gelingt am besten, wenn du den Abstract ganz am Schluss verfasst.

In deinem Abstract solltest du folgende Fragen beantworten:

  • Worum geht es?
  • Wie wurde vorgegangen?
  • Was sind die wichtigsten Ergebnisse?
  • Was bedeuten deine Ergebnisse?

Der Abstract sollte maximal eine Seite bzw. 150–250 Wörter lang sein.

Der Abstract steht in einer Bachelorarbeit meist zwischen dem Deckblatt und dem Inhaltsverzeichnis. Wenn deine Arbeit ein Vorwort enthält, steht es nach dem Abstract.

Je nach Vorgabe der jeweiligen Hochschule kann der Abstract aber auch manchmal hinter dem Inhaltsverzeichnis platziert werden.

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Genau, L. (2023, 30. Jänner). Abstract Beispiel für eine Bachelorarbeit oder Masterarbeit. Scribbr. Abgerufen am 15. Mai 2024, von https://www.scribbr.at/aufbau-und-gliederung-at/abstract-beispiel/

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  1. ABSTRACT SCHREIBEN

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  2. Abstract Bachelorarbeit Beispiel

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  3. How to Write an Abstract (with Pictures)

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  4. How to Write a Dissertation Abstract?

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  5. FREE 6+ Abstract Writing Examples & Samples in PDF

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  6. Abstract Paper Sample Format : Action Research Paper Writing Help

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  4. What is abstract essay! #csstoppers #cssaspirants #cssessay #css2025

  5. How to Write a Perfect Abstract

  6. Abstract Processes (An Essay)

COMMENTS

  1. How to Write an Abstract

    Step 2: Methods. Next, indicate the research methods that you used to answer your question. This part should be a straightforward description of what you did in one or two sentences. It is usually written in the past simple tense, as it refers to completed actions.

  2. ABSTRACT SCHREIBEN

    Beachte dabei: Die folgenden Fragen solltest Du beim Abstract schreiben unbedingt beantworten. Bei der Reihenfolge kannst Du aber, wie auch in der Einleitung, variieren. 1. Problemstellung/Leitfrage vorstellen. Im ersten Schritt Deines Abstracts nennst Du die Problemstellung oder Leitfrage etwa Deiner Bachelorarbeit.

  3. Abstract schreiben • Anleitung und Beispiele · [mit Video]

    Abstract schreiben - einfach erklärt. zur Stelle im Video springen. (00:14) In einem Abstract fasst du kurz und knapp zusammen, was in deiner Bachelorarbeit, Masterarbeit oder Dissertation wichtig ist. Dieser Überblickstext zeigt deiner Leserschaft schnell, ob dein Thema für sie interessant ist und ob sie deine ganze Arbeit lesen möchten.

  4. Abstract Beispiel für eine Bachelorarbeit oder Masterarbeit

    Der Abstract fasst für die Lesenden deine Bachelorarbeit bzw. Masterarbeit so zusammen, dass sie einen klaren Überblick darüber erhalten, was du untersucht und was du herausgefunden hast. Einen Abstract kannst du im Präsens oder im Perfekt schreiben. Verwende keine komplizierten Begriffe - auch Fachfremde sollten den kurzen Text verstehen ...

  5. 15 Abstract Examples: A Comprehensive Guide

    Informative Abstract Example 1. Emotional intelligence (EQ) has been correlated with leadership effectiveness in organizations. Using a mixed-methods approach, this study assesses the importance of emotional intelligence on academic performance at the high school level. The Emotional Intelligence rating scale was used, as well as semi ...

  6. Abstract Writing: A Step-by-Step Guide With Tips & Examples

    Abstracts are a short outline of your essay. However, it's among the most important, if not the most important. The process of writing an abstract is not straightforward. A few early-age researchers tend to begin by writing it, thinking they are doing it to "tease" the next step (the document itself). However, it is better to treat it as a spoiler.

  7. How to Write an Abstract (With Examples)

    5. How to Format an Abstract. Most abstracts use the same formatting rules, which help the reader identify the abstract so they know where to look for it. Here's a list of formatting guidelines for writing an abstract: Stick to one paragraph. Use block formatting with no indentation at the beginning.

  8. Writing an Abstract for Your Research Paper

    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….

  9. How to Write an Abstract

    You will almost always have to include an abstract when: Completing a thesis or dissertation. Submitting a research paper to an academic journal. Writing a book proposal. Applying for research grants. It's easiest to write your abstract last, because it's a summary of the work you've already done.

  10. Abstract schreiben + Bachelorarbeit Beispiel als Vorlage

    Abstract schreiben + Bachelorarbeit Beispiel als Vorlage. Veröffentlicht am 26. April 2018 von Franziska Pfeiffer . Aktualisiert am 24. Januar 2024. Ein Abstract (auch Zusammenfassung oder Management-Summary genannt) ist ein Text, der kurz und knapp die wichtigsten Punkte deiner Bachelorarbeit wiedergibt.

  11. How to write an abstract

    Keywords: along with the abstract, specific words and phrases related to the topics discussed in the research should be added. These words are usually around five, but the number can vary depending on the journal's guidelines. Abstract example. This abstract, taken from ScienceDirect, illustrates the ideal structure of an abstract. It has 155 ...

  12. How to Write an Abstract in APA Format with Examples

    An APA abstract must be formatted as follows: Include the running head aligned to the left at the top of the page (professional papers only) and page number. Note, student papers do not require a running head. On the first line, center the heading "Abstract" and bold (do not underlined or italicize).

  13. How to Write an Abstract

    An abstract should be a mini essay, so it should begin with a clear statement of your argument. This should be the first sentence or two. Abstracts vary in length. But a good rule is to aim for five to seven sentences. The bulk of the abstract will review the evidence for your claim and summarize your findings. Avoid complicated syntax.

  14. PDF Abstracts

    Authors abstract various longer works, including book proposals, dissertations, and online journal articles. There are two main types of abstracts: descriptive and informative. A descriptive abstract briefly describes the longer work, while an informative abstract presents all the main arguments and important results.

  15. How To Write an Abstract for Any Subject and Publication ...

    An abstract offers a succinct overview of the aims, results, and importance of your research. Check submission guidelines, write clearly and concisely, and use language to "guide" readers through your abstract. The IMRaD (Introduction, Methodology, Results, and Discussion) approach is simple and effective. More and more authors are using AI ...

  16. Writing an Abstract for a Research Paper: Guidelines, Examples, and

    There are six steps to writing a standard abstract. (1) Begin with a broad statement about your topic. Then, (2) state the problem or knowledge gap related to this topic that your study explores. After that, (3) describe what specific aspect of this problem you investigated, and (4) briefly explain how you went about doing this. After that, (5) describe the most meaningful outcome(s) of your ...

  17. Writing an abstract

    Methods - The methods section should contain enough information to enable the reader to understand what was done, and how. It should include brief details of the research design, sample size, duration of study, and so on. Results - The results section is the most important part of the abstract. This is because readers who skim an abstract do so ...

  18. PDF How do I write an Abstract in English?

    abstract is one of the most important genres: It allows scholars to quickly get the gist of the work it summarises and to decide whether or not they should keep on reading for further details. In student writing, the abstract is not that common. Most students write their first abstract for their B.A. or M.A. thesis. However, it is still useful

  19. Abstract Beispiel für eine Bachelorarbeit oder Masterarbeit

    Der Abstract fasst für die Lesenden deine Bachelorarbeit bzw. Masterarbeit so zusammen, dass sie einen klaren Überblick darüber erhalten, was du untersucht und was du herausgefunden hast. Einen Abstract kannst du im Präsens oder im Perfekt schreiben. Verwende keine komplizierten Begriffe - auch Fachfremde sollten den kurzen Text verstehen ...

  20. How to Write an Abstract? (5 Steps & Examples)

    You must briefly explain the purpose, argument, and methods of your paper in your abstract. An abstract consists of 5 parts: introduction, purpose, method, results, and conclusion. There are 4 types of abstract: informative, descriptive, critical and highlight. To create a well-written abstract, you need to do research, add a statement sentence ...

  21. PDF Wie schreibe ich ein Abstract?

    Ein Abstract ist eine eigenständige, kurze und aussagekräftige Beschreibung eines längeren Textes. Es sollte das Ziel, den thematischen Umfang, die Methoden und Quellen sowie die Schlussfolgerungen des längeren Textes enthalten. Ein Abstract ist keine Rezension, bewertet also den längeren Text nicht, sondern eine Beschreibung, die es dem ...