A summary or abstract is an overview of the whole article in a short paragraph or two, usually following the title of the article and before the article itself, describing what the article is about and its key points. A good abstract should include the research question or problem addressed in the article, the sources and methodology used by the author(s), and the results or conclusions drawn from the research. These are each described briefly in a sentence or two. Sometimes they are presented as a list instead of in paragraph form.
A complete, well-written abstract should tell you, in as few words as possible:
Here’s an example of a good abstract:
There has been a recent growth of interest in determining whether sound (specifically music and soundscapes) can enhance not only the basic taste attributes associated with food and beverage items (such as sweetness, bitterness, sourness, etc.), but also other important components of the tasting experience, such as, for instance, crunchiness, creaminess, and/or carbonation. In the present study, participants evaluated the perceived creaminess of chocolate. Two contrasting soundtracks were produced with such texture-correspondences in mind, and validated by means of a pre-test. The participants tasted the same chocolate twice (without knowing that the chocolates were identical), each time listening to one of the soundtracks. The ‘creamy’ soundtrack enhanced the perceived creaminess and sweetness of the chocolates, as compared to the ratings given while listening to the ‘rough’ soundtrack. Moreover, while the participants preferred the creamy soundtrack, this difference did not appear to affect their overall enjoyment of the chocolates. Interestingly, and in contrast with previous similar studies, these results demonstrate that in certain cases, sounds can have a perceptual effect on gustatory food attributes without necessarily altering the hedonic experience (Reinoso, Wang, van Ee, Persoone, Spence, 2017, p. 383).
This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor about the appropriate way to write an abstract in your class assignments and projects.
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References
Reinoso Carvalho, F., Wang, Q., van Ee, R., Persoone, D., & Spence, C. (2017). 'Smooth operator': Music modulates the perceived creaminess, sweetness, and bitterness of chocolate. Appetite, 108 383-390. doi:10.1016/j.appet.2016.10.026
Imagine someone trying to decide if they want to read your paper while choosing from a long list of sources on the same topic. You want to describe what your paper is about and your key points, in a short, concise manner. A good abstract should include your research question or the problem you address in your paper, something about the sources and methodology you used, and the results or conclusions you have drawn from your research. Describe each of these things in a sentence or two.
Ask yourself, “How can I give the reader a quick but informative idea of what my paper is about?”
The answer is simple! Include these four things:
Here’s an example abstract:
Recent elections in the United States have drawn increased attention to “fake news” and the spread of false and misleading information, contributing to voter confusion and impacting the credibility of the election process. Because anyone can put anything up on the Internet and allege its truthfulness and accuracy, a well-informed electorate needs to be information literate. This paper investigates and describes a process for distinguishing credible sources of news and information from sources that are not. A sample of 18-22-year-old college students (n=220) were shown examples of websites both authoritative and dubious in nature and were asked to evaluate them. Following this pre-test, criteria used in the CRAAPO test developed by the Southern New Hampshire University Library were discussed in a hands-on computer classroom environment, and example websites were dissected, assessed, and reviewed using these criteria. Following this experience, students were again shown websites (different than those seen before) and asked to evaluate them for credibility. Students were also interviewed about the reasoning behind their choices. Time and again an awareness of CRAAPO criteria and where to look for them on websites demonstrated an increased level of information literacy among student participants.
In the above example the following areas discuss the topic:
..."attention to “fake news” and the spread of false and misleading information, contributing to voter confusion and impacting the credibility of the election process...."
The following areas discuss the context:
"...allege its truthfulness and accuracy, a well-informed electorate needs to be information literate..."
The following areas discuss the methodology:
"... A sample of 18-22-year-old college students (n=220) were shown examples..."
"...were asked to evaluate them..."
"...were discussed in a hands-on computer classroom environment..."
"...Students were also interviewed..."
The following area discusses the conclusion:
"...demonstrated an increased level of information literacy among student participants..."
This information is intended to be a guideline, not expert advice. Please be sure to speak to your professor for further help with writing an abstract or for other writing questions in your class assignments and projects.
To access academic support, visit your Brightspace course and select “Tutoring and Mentoring” from the Academic Support pulldown menu.
To access help with citation and more, visit Academic Support via modules in Brightspace:
